Jammu and Kashmir police have busted a fraudulent marriage racket in Chowki Choura, Akhnoor, arresting five individuals, including a woman who posed as the bride.
The case traces back to August 11, 2025, when Police Station Akhnoor registered FIR No.140/2025 under Sections 318(4), 82(2), and 61(2) BNS, following a complaint about deceitful marriage arrangements. The investigation was led by IC PP Chowki Choura Vinay Kotwal, under the supervision of SHO Akhnoor and SDPO Akhnoor.
According to police, Deepak Kumar, son of Baldev Raj from Dhana Chapri, Chowki Choura, approached the complainant Rashpal Chand, offering a marriage proposal from outside the Union Territory and demanded Rs 3 lakh. Shortly after the marriage was solemnized, the bride and accomplices fled within two days, cheating the complainant.
Investigations revealed that the gang operated a fraud marriage nexus under the guise of a marriage bureau. The racket coordinated everything, from arranging the bride and priest to handling related formalities. Typically, the bride would abandon the groom shortly after marriage. Police noted that many victims avoided reporting due to social stigma, but this timely complaint led to a significant breakthrough.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
Deepak Kumar, son of Baldev Raj, Dhana Chapri, Chowki Choura
Vikas Kumar, son of Netar Parkash, Poonch
Arun Kumar, son of Raj Kumar, Bihar
Istakhar, son of Salim, Uttar Pradesh
Kusum Lata, resident of Uttar Pradesh (Bride)
Police have registered a case and further investigations are ongoing to identify other possible victims and accomplices involved in the nexus.
