A mass marriage ceremony in Rajkot, intended to unite 28 couples from different castes, turned into a shocking scam on the wedding day, as organisers vanished with the community’s funds, leaving families stranded. The event, meant to be a joyous occasion for all, quickly descended into panic when attendees arrived to find no arrangements made and the organisers nowhere to be found.
Families had paid between Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 per bride and groom, trusting the organisers to handle the ceremony’s execution. However, when they arrived at the venue near Madhapar, there was no setup in place. Brides were left in tears, and guests from Rajkot and nearby districts were left confused and angry.
One attendee, Vitthalbhai, who had come for his son’s wedding, expressed his frustration, saying, “The organisers took Rs 40,000 from us and disappeared, leaving people stranded.” Others, like Shilpaben Bagtharia, whose brother-in-law’s daughter was among the brides, described the complete lack of arrangements. “They promised us everything would be ready by 6 AM, but when we arrived, there was nothing—no organisers, no Brahmins, nothing.”
As the panic spread, the Rajkot Police, led by ACP Radhika Bharai, arrived on the scene to take control. The police acted swiftly to contact the frustrated grooms who had left in anger, convincing them to return and ensure the weddings were solemnised. Rajkot City ACP Radhika Bharai assured that the organisers would face legal action, stating, “A case will be registered against the organisers.”
A local non-profit stepped in, providing water and lunch to the stranded families who had been at the venue since the early morning. Despite the organisers’ betrayal, the efforts of the police and community members allowed the weddings to continue, albeit under very different circumstances than originally promised.
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