Mangalore: Hindu groom missing on wedding day

Canara Times

Mangalore, 15 May 2010: An incident in which a Hindu youth who had a registered marriage with a Christian girl, went missing on the day of their formal marriage, has come to light of late. The aggrieved young woman has now sought the help of the media to secure justice to her.

The young woman named Maria Rekha, daughter of Richard -Asha Caroline couple of Preetinagar near Shaktinagar, a beautician by profession was in love with Kishore Kumar, son of Sadashiva of Mugrodi near Shaktinagar since ten years. They had a registered marriage on July 13, 2007 at the Mangalore sub-registrar’s office. As both the families were aware of their wedding, Kishore used to often visit Rekha’s house. Meanwhile, Kishore who earlier worked for a bread factory at Baikampady, joined the Nilgiris Shop at Empire Mall and after getting caught in some problem there had left for the Gulf.

“I am the only daughter of my parents and they did not come in the way of our love. As both our families knew each other, Kishore’s uncle Balakrishna had assured to get us formally married. After the registered marriage we had provided financial help to Kishore to purchase a land and also to leave for Gulf. Meanwhile, his parents demanded that the marriage be held as per Hindu tradition and we agreed. He had returned hometown on February 19 last just to get married. Even his mother who was a maid in the Gulf had returned hometown,” says Rekha.

“Meanwhile, his family pressurized for more money and wanted me to embrace Hinduism and wear nose ring. I agreed for everything. But still when they visited our house daily and began to harass us, I even tried to commit suicide once in the month of February. Finally when the harassment exceeded all limits, we lodged a complaint with the Mangalore rural police. The SI summoned both the families for talks and said the marriage should be held in the station itself. But Kishore said the family had a harake that the marriage should be held at Kateel temple itself and finally both the families decided to hold the wedding at Kateel Temple on March 29. As he had been given enough cash it was considered as dowry and it was decided that we will purchase the Mangalasutra and bear the wedding expenses. Kishore’s family purchased the wedding saree and had even handed over the blouse piece to me for stitching. A reception had also been arranged at the Bondel Church Hall the same night; Rekha explains and shows the blouse piece and the mangalasutra purchased.

“But the day previous to the wedding, Kishore’s sister Vidyashree and brother-in-law Santosh went to the Kateel temple and said the marriage could not be held the next day as a close relative had passed away. But when we went to the temple the next day for the wedding, no one was present there.” Rekha also shows the letter given by the temple saying the marriage could not be held.

Rekha says Kishore went missing on the day of the marriage itself and his mobile too was found switched off.

She has now lodged a complaint with the Mangalore Rural police against Kishore and his family members including mother Sunitha, brother Kiran, Rohi, Bhasker, Raju, Arathi, Bharathi, Chandravathi, Prema, Chandravathi and others.

The police who arrived at Kishore’s house after registering an FIR, arrested his mother Sunitha as Kishore was not found in his house.

When contacted, Mangalore Rural SI Prakash and DySP Girish have said they are on the look out for Kishore who is absconding. They also said efforts would be made to secure justice to the young woman who is fighting to find her husband despite the harassment meted out by his family members.

On the other hand Rekha says, “Kishore is really a good human being. His family members have kept him in hiding for greed of money. When I sought justice, there were rumours that I got him converted to my religion. But I am ready to embrace any religion. No other girl should suffer like me. I will wait for him and am confident that he will return to me one day.”