In a shocking turn of events, a group of men took to the streets of Srinagar on Thursday to protest against a woman from Rajouri district's Pir Panjal valley. These individuals claim to have fallen victim to her elaborate scheme, accusing her of marrying multiple men and then absconding with their valuable assets.
The number of victims involved in this fraudulent operation continues to rise, raising concerns among local residents.
In response to the mounting allegations, the Jammu and Kashmir Police swiftly lodged a First Information Report (FIR) under Sections 420 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code in Budgam, central Kashmir.
The FIR was filed following a complaint from a local resident who revealed that he had been deceived by the woman after being married to her for several months. Subsequently, numerous men have come forward with similar claims, prompting an ongoing investigation by law enforcement authorities.
However, due to the accused presenting an anticipatory bail on Friday, she was released by the police. Meanwhile, an intermediary from Budgam's Khan Sahib area, who played a role in arranging one of the marriages, was apprehended. Law enforcement officials have noted that the accused denies any knowledge of the men involved, maintaining her innocence.
Mohammed Altaf Mir, a victim hailing from Budgam, disclosed that he was introduced to the bride through an intermediary.
"It's a gang. The middlemen introduce the woman with different names and get them married to men from Kashmir. After the marriage, the bride vanishes from the house on one pretext or the other with cash and gold," expressed Mir, shedding light on the alleged modus operandi.
According to the accounts of the duped men, the woman assumed identities such as Shaheena and Zaheena, and her purported "family members" were present at the marriage ceremonies.
It is estimated that she has married over two dozen men from the region, although law enforcement agencies are still in the process of compiling an exhaustive list of victims. Demonstrations were held by approximately six men in Srinagar's Press Colony on Thursday, as they demanded action against the accused to prevent future instances of deception.
In traditional Muslim practice, contract marriages involve the payment of mahr, a predetermined sum by the groom to the bride. The victims allege that the accused manipulated this custom by setting an exorbitant amount as mahr, only to vanish within weeks, absconding with the money and gold.
Most victims claim to have lost between ₹4 to 6 lakh to the woman and her accomplices. "We were tricked into marrying her by the middlemen," revealed another man from Budgam, highlighting the deceptive nature of the scheme, to The Hindu.
Abid Zahoor Andrabi, a lawyer representing one of the victims from Budgam, suggested that a vast inter-district gang may be involved in the scandal. Disturbingly, the victims range from elderly to disabled men, further deepening the gravity of the situation, according to police reports.
As investigations continue, the aggrieved individuals eagerly await justice, hoping that swift action will be taken against the accused woman and her associates.
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