April 9, 2025 – Aligarh, India – In a jaw-dropping twist straight out of a Bollywood script, a groom-to-be from Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district has allegedly eloped together with his fiancée’s mom simply 9 days earlier than their scheduled wedding ceremony, taking with him money and jewellery value lakhs. The weird incident, unfolding within the Mandrak space, has left the bride-to-be, her household, and the area people reeling as police scramble to trace down the runaway pair.
The marriage was set for April 16, with invites printed and preparations in full swing. The groom, Rahul, a 20-year-old from a close-by village, was on account of marry Shivani, whose household had been internet hosting him regularly within the lead-up to the massive day. However on Sunday, April 6, Rahul left his dwelling beneath the pretense of buying wedding ceremony apparel, solely to name his father later that night time with a cryptic farewell: “I’m leaving. Don’t attempt to discover me.” Across the similar time, Shivani’s 40-year-old mom, Anita, vanished with out a phrase. By Monday, it grew to become clear the 2 had fled collectively, absconding with Rs 3.5 lakh in money and jewellery valued at over Rs 5 lakh—objects stashed for the marriage.
“I used to be alleged to marry Rahul, and my mom eloped with him,” a devastated Shivani instructed NDTV. “They’d been speaking on the cellphone for 3 or 4 months. She took every little thing—not even Rs 10 is left.” The betrayal cuts deeper: Rahul had gifted Anita a cell phone two months prior, a gesture dismissed as harmless on the time however now seen because the spark of a bootleg bond. Family members famous Rahul’s frequent visits to Shivani’s dwelling, the place he and Anita grew “fairly shut,” exchanging marathon calls that raised no crimson flags till it was too late.
Mandrak SHO Arvind Kumar confirmed the incident, stating, “The lady’s husband lodged a proper grievance. We’ve recorded statements from each households and launched an investigation.” Police suspect Rahul, who reportedly works in Uttarakhand, could also be hiding there with Anita. CCTV footage from native bus stands and railway stations is beneath evaluation, and a search staff is combing for clues. The case is filed beneath sections for dishonest and attainable theft, with the jewellery and money theft amplifying the scandal’s sting.
The story has exploded on-line, with X posts dubbing it “India’s wildest wedding ceremony drama.” One person quipped, “Cowbelt area isn’t for newcomers!” whereas one other mused, “The groom fell for the mother-in-law—Bollywood couldn’t dream this up.” The heist-like twist of taking the household’s financial savings has fueled outrage, with Shivani’s plea—“We simply need our cash and jewellery again”—echoing a sentiment of betrayal and loss.
This isn’t Aligarh’s first brush with pre-wedding chaos, however it’s among the many most audacious. In 2020, a Surat couple postponed their nuptials when the groom’s father eloped with the bride’s mom, rekindling an outdated romance. Right here, although, the age hole—Rahul at 20, Anita at 40—provides a layer of intrigue, as does the calculated seize of wedding ceremony wealth. Theories swirl: Was it love, greed, or each? The cellphone present hints at premeditation, a breadcrumb in a path now chilly.
For Shivani, the fallout is private. “My mom adopted every little thing Rahul instructed her,” she mentioned, voice heavy with disbelief. Her father, left to choose up the items, faces not simply emotional wreckage however monetary break. The Rs 8.5 lakh haul—roughly $10,000 USD—represents years of financial savings in a area the place such sums are hard-earned. As police dig deeper, the group watches, torn between shock and morbid fascination.
The elopement underscores a grim irony: a marriage meant to unite households has shattered one as a substitute. With Rahul and Anita on the lam, the bride’s desires are on maintain, changed by a manhunt and a story that’s already lore in Uttar Pradesh’s heartland. Will justice—or the jewels—be recovered? For now, Aligarh holds its breath.
