Last Updated:December 07, 2024, 17:41 IST
Deepak, 24, had been in an online relationship with Manpreet Kaur for three years. The two had met on Instagram but had never met face-to-face
Deepak’s father said that they had hired taxis, arranged catering, and booked a videographer for the ceremony, which never took place. (Representational image: Shutterstock)
A Dubai-returned groom, Deepak Kumar, and his entourage of 150 ‘baraatis‘ were left in shock when they arrived for his wedding in Punjab’s Moga, only to discover that his bride was “missing” and the wedding venue did not exist.
According to the police, Deepak, 24, had been in an online relationship with Manpreet Kaur for three years. The two had met on Instagram but had never met face-to-face.
Deepak, who had returned to Jalandhar from Dubai a month ago for the marriage, had arranged the wedding after long-distance communication, including phone calls with Manpreet’s family.
On the day of the wedding, Deepak and his family travelled from Mandiali village in Jalandhar to Moga for the ceremony at the venue, which had been confirmed by the bride. However, upon arrival, things took a turn for the worse.
The bride’s family told Deepak that someone would escort him and his guests to the venue. After waiting until 5 pm with no one arriving, Deepak and his family began asking locals about the supposed venue, ‘Rose Garden Palace,’ but were told that no such place existed in Moga.
Duped Off Rs 50,000
Deepak, who worked as a labourer in Dubai, said he had only ever communicated with Manpreet through Instagram and had never met her in person. Their parents had arranged the wedding over the phone, with Deepak also claiming to have transferred Rs 50,000 to her before the event.
Deepak’s father, Prem Chand, said that they had hired taxis, arranged catering, and booked a videographer for the ceremony, which never took place. He added that Kaur had told them she worked in Ferozepur, and the marriage had been finalised after multiple phone calls with her parents.
When the groom’s family was unable to reach Manpreet, as her phone was switched off, they lodged a complaint with the police.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Harjinder Singh of Moga confirmed that an investigation was underway. Further details of the investigation are awaited.
(With inputs from PTI)
