JAIPUR: In an intriguing case of matrimonial fraud, a 23-year-old woman who allegedly married 25 different men across multiple states in just seven months has been arrested by Rajasthan Police.
Anuradha Paswan, dubbed the "loot-and-scoot bride" by police, was arrested in Bhopal by Sawai Madhopur police Monday.
The accused, who was part of a sophisticated marriage racket, would target desperate grooms and flee with their valuables shortly after the wedding.
According to investigation officer Meetha Lal from Manpur police station, Anuradha had perfected her modus operandi. She would present herself as a bride, marry her victims using legal paperwork, stay for a few days and then vanish under the cover of night with stolen gold, cash and electronics.
The scam came to light after Vishnu Sharma, a resident of Sawai Madhopur, lodged a complaint on May 3. Sharma said he had paid Rs 2 lakh to two agents, Sunita and Pappu Meena, who promised to arrange a suitable match for him. Presented with Anuradha as the ideal bride, the marriage was solemnised on April 20 at a local court. However, just days later, on May 2, she fled with valuable items.
Anuradha's background adds a layer of complexity to this case. Previously employed at a hospital in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, she had separated from her husband after a domestic dispute and moved to Bhopal. There, she became involved with a gang of marriage fraudsters who operated through a network of local agents. These agents showcased prospective brides via WhatsApp, demanding amounts between Rs 2 to Rs 5 lakh for their services. Once the marriage was conducted, the bride would typically flee within a week.
Police have identified several other suspects involved in the operation, including individuals named Roshni, Raghubir, Golu, Majboot Singh Yadav and Arjan, all hailing from various neighbourhoods in Bhopal.
After her disappearance from Sharma's residence, Anuradha allegedly married another man named Gabbar in Bhopal and collected Rs 2 lakh from him as well. Anuradha's arrest was made possible when police sent an undercover constable posing as a prospective groom. When an agent shared her photo, investigators seized the opportunity and arrested her.