Tehsil Police have uncovered a fake marriage racket that allegedly cheated unmarried men by promising them brides and then robbing them of cash and valuables. Two women, identified as Namrata Malviya and the alleged kingpin, Rani alias Komal Pandey, have been arrested, while police are searching for other members of the gang.
The case came to light after Akash Parekh, a resident of Bhavnagar in Gujarat, approached the police. According to investigators, Akash had been looking for a suitable bride when a friend informed him that a match could be arranged in Nagpur. Acting on the assurance, he travelled to the city, where he was introduced to a woman identified as Namrata Malviya by Rani alias Komal Pandey near Mayo Hospital.
When Akash insisted on meeting the bride’s family, he was taken to a house in Koradi, where he met the prospective bride. The accused allegedly convinced him that the wedding could be performed the same day. Before the ceremony, they demanded cash and jewellery for the marriage rituals. Believing the proposal to be genuine, Akash withdrew Rs 70,000 from an ATM and handed over the cash along with gold and silver ornaments he had brought for the wedding.
The alleged fraud was exposed while the group was travelling to Burdi for the wedding. A man claiming to be Namrata’s husband intercepted them and informed Akash that she was already married. Suspecting he had been cheated, Akash immediately lodged a complaint with Tehsil Police.
Based on the complaint, police arrested Namrata Malviya and later apprehended the alleged mastermind, Rani alias Komal Pandey, from the Panchpaoli area. A court has remanded both accused to five days of police custody.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the gang specifically targeted unmarried men by gaining their confidence through fake marriage proposals before extorting money and valuables. Police suspect the accused may have been involved in similar cases and are investigating the racket’s wider network to identify other victims and accomplices.