MP: Wedding Procession Reaches Ratlam, Then Ujjain Police Call… Rape Case Against Groom… He Flees at the First Opportunity

Ujjain. Chaos erupted in the Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh when the Badnagar police—from the neighboring Ujjain district—contacted the bride’s family to inform them that a case of rape had been registered against the groom. Upon receiving this information, the atmosphere within the bride’s family turned tense and distressed. The police counseled and persuaded the bride’s family to halt the wedding rituals; amidst this commotion, the groom seized the opportunity to flee. According to reports, the wedding of a young man from Badnagar was taking place in Ratlam on Wednesday, and the wedding procession had already arrived from Badnagar.

The groom was just about to enter the wedding mandap (pavilion) when the bride’s family discovered the truth. The family learned that the young man their daughter was about to marry was facing a rape case filed by a minor girl. It is reported that a local councilor played a pivotal role in bringing this matter to light.

When She Was Alone at Home

According to information provided by the police, the full details of the case are as follows: In January, Abhishek Sen—a young man residing in Teachers’ Colony within the Badnagar police station area (located approximately 60 km from Ujjain)—raped a 15-year-old minor girl while she was alone at home. During the incident, he intimidated and threatened her, warning her not to reveal the event to anyone. When news of Abhishek’s impending marriage reached the minor recently, she voiced her opposition to the union. However, Abhishek continued to threaten her, refused to call off his wedding, and proceeded to travel to Ratlam with his wedding procession.

Meanwhile, on April 6, distressed by this turn of events, the minor girl attempted to take her own life by consuming acid with the intent of committing suicide; it was at this point that the case came to light. The girl was admitted to a hospital for treatment, and a subsequent medical examination revealed that the victim was also pregnant. Police Intervene via Phone to Counsel the Bride’s Family

The marriage of Abhishek Sen—a resident of Shikshak Colony in Badnagar, located approximately 60 km from Ujjain—had been arranged with a young woman from the Ratlam district. Wedding festivities had been underway for the past two days, and by around 8:00 PM on Wednesday night, the groom had already set out with the wedding procession, riding atop a mare. However, just before the procession could reach its destination, the police took immediate action and intervened by speaking with the bride’s family over the phone. Upon receiving this information, the wedding household was thrown into chaos. Following discussions between both families, the wedding was called off. In her complaint to the police, the minor victim alleged that the accused had raped her under duress and intimidation. It was on the very day of Abhishek’s wedding that it came to light that the victim was pregnant. The victim informed the police that on January 5, the accused had visited her home while she was alone; he then threatened her, committed the rape, and forbade her from disclosing the incident to anyone. After the accused’s marriage was finalized, the victim had attempted to commit suicide.

Case of Rape, Including Charges Under the POCSO Act, Registered
According to Station House Officer (SHO) Ashok Patidar, based on the complaint filed by the 15-year-old minor, the police have registered a case of rape against the accused, which also includes charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The police further stated that the victim and the accused reside in the same residential colony. Three days prior to the groom’s wedding—on April 6—the victim had attempted to commit suicide by consuming acid.

During the course of her medical treatment, on April 8, it was discovered that she was pregnant. Following this revelation, she confided the entire sequence of events to her family members. Acting on the girl’s complaint, the police have registered a case under the POCSO Act and other relevant sections of the law. The accused is currently absconding but is expected to be taken into custody shortly.