The guests arrived, the stage was set, and the wedding was about to begin when the police stormed the venue and arrested the groom from the mandap. It may sound like a scene from a movie, but that’s how the drama unfolded at a wedding in Bhopal on Wednesday, as police arrested the groom, an alleged gangster, just before the wedding rituals.
Read also: $199-1300 additional fee as the West Asian War ignites oil prices $199-1300 additional fee as the West Asian War sets oil prices on fire
The situation forced the bride to go to Koh-e-Visa police station and beg the cops to at least release her fiancé to complete the wedding rituals, NDTV reported.
“Sahab, my life will be ruined. What is my fault? I did not know about the crimes he committed. Guests are waiting at home. Haldi and other rituals have been performed,” the bride was quoted as saying.
The arrested groom has been identified as Akash Neelkanth, the alleged leader of the gang. The police also arrested his associates Rajamji Thakur, Abhishek Upadhyay, Abhishek Meena, Neeraj Khanji and Amit Oswal.
Why was the gangster groom arrested?
Neelkanth, also known as Bhura, is said to be the leader of a gang known as the ‘illegal gang’ in Bhopal which has more than 50 youths as members. The gang members reportedly had the word “illegal” tattooed on their necks. The gang has been active since 2018.
Read also: Cheap drones flying close to the ground, Russian tactics: How does Iran stand up to the United States and Israel?
Neelkanth has 31 cases registered against him and is facing serious charges like murder.
He spent 18 months in prison in connection with the murder of BJP Yuva Morcha Mandal vice president Surendra Kushwah on March 18, 2024. Neelkanth, the prime accused in the case, was released on bail just four months ago.
Read also: “I spent months bullying, and now I am begging”: Iran regarding the US concession to India to buy Russian oil
However, he was arrested on his wedding day in an extortion case where the gang allegedly kidnapped a 26-year-old priest and beat him up in an apartment in Idgah Hills area as they demanded. $8 lakh. The kidnapper was threatened with a false rape case if he refused to pay, according to the case. The gang reportedly forced the priest’s brother to transfer $50,000 online and pressured his family to arrange the remaining amount in instalments.
The kidnapped priest managed to escape from the apartment on March 11 and approached the police. The police acted quickly and arrested Neelkanth when he was about to get married.
