Bihar jail turns into a wedding venue for rape accused, survivor

PATNA/MADHUBANI: A jail in Madhubani district turned into a wedding venue when an inmate, accused of sexually exploiting his widowed sister-in-law (elder brother's wife), tied the nuptial knot with her on Tuesday. All arrangements for the unusual wedding were made by the jail administration, as staff served as witnesses, while other inmates played ‘baratis' (groom's party).Jail staff said this happened after the accused filed a bail application in the Patna high court, which was granted with a condition that the lower court verify the marriage between the two before accepting the bail bond. Following this directive, the accused submitted an application to the lower court seeking permission for the marriage.Jail superintendent Om Prakash Shanti Bhushan said on Wednesday, the wedding was organised within the jail premises in compliance with the court order, making necessary arrangements for the ceremony.Advocate Gagan Dev Yadav, representing the accused, said that his elder brother — the woman's husband — had passed away in 2022, after which both came closer and began living together. However, a dispute allegedly led the woman to file a complaint against the accused on June 29, 2024, at the local Women's police station, resulting in the judicial custody of the man.He then filed the bail application in the Patna HC. Following its directive, the accused submitted an application to the court of judge Syed Mohammad Fazlul Bari, seeking permission to marry the woman. With the court's approval, the wedding was solemnised in the jail, marking a rare and significant event.