The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday announced the busting of a fake marriage racket in Akhnoor, resulting in the arrest of five individuals, including the woman who posed as the bride.
Officials said the operation was carried out in the Chowki Choura area of Akhnoor. A police statement said, &ldquo;On August 11, 2025, Akhnoor police station registered an FIR under Sections 318(4)/82(2)/61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after receiving a complaint regarding fraudulent marriage arrangements.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The investigation was taken up by Chowki Choura police post Incharge, Vinay Kotwal, under the close supervision of Akhnoor Station House Officer and Akhnoor Sub-Divisional Police Officer,&rdquo; the statement added.
As per the complaint, Deepak Kumar, son of Baldev Raj and a resident of Dhana Chapri, Chowki Choura, approached the complainant Rashpal Chand, son of Chatru Ram and resident of Dori Dager, Chowki Choura, with a marriage proposal from outside the Union Territory and demanded Rs 3 lakh. &ldquo;After the marriage was solemnised, the bride, along with other accomplices, fled within two days, thereby cheating the complainant,&rdquo; the police statement said.
&ldquo;Investigations revealed that the gang was operating a fraudulent nexus under the guise of a marriage bureau. The racket managed everything, including arranging the bride, priest (Pandit), and related formalities,&rdquo; the police added. &ldquo;Shortly after marriage, the bride would desert the complainant on one pretext or another. Due to social stigma, many victims refrained from reporting such incidents. However, in this case, timely reporting led to a major breakthrough.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The five accused who have been arrested are identified as Deepak Kumar, the son of Baldev Raj and resident of Dhana Chapri, Chowki Choura; Vikas Kumar, the son of Netar Parkash and resident of Poonch; Arun Kumar, the son of Raj Kumar and resident of Bihar; Istakhar, the son of Salim and resident of Uttar Pradesh; and the woman who posed as the bride,&rdquo; the statement said.
&ldquo;The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are not ruled out. Notably, four more similar cases have surfaced, two from Akhnoor and two from Nagrota, where inquiries are currently in progress,&rdquo; the police added.
&ldquo;The entire investigation is being closely monitored by Jammu Rural Superintendent of Police and Jammu senior Superintendent of Police,&rdquo; the statement noted. &ldquo;The Jammu Police appeals to the public to remain vigilant against such fraudulent activities and to promptly report such incidents to the nearest police station. This nexus primarily targets vulnerable individuals, especially those who are unable to find suitable matches or are overage for marriage,&rdquo; it concluded. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

Jammu Police Bust Fake Marriage Racket, 5 Arrested

Five people, including the woman posing as the bride, arrested in Jammu fake marriage scam

Jammu Police Bust Fake Marriage Racket, 5 Arrested

Five people, including the woman posing as the bride, arrested in Jammu fake marriage scam

August 23, 2025 | 22:27 IST