Patna News: Avnish Kumar, who had recently cleared the Bihar Public Service Commission exam and secured a teaching position, was abducted and forcibly married under duress in an incident of ‘Pakadwa Vivah’ in Bihar. The 28-year-old teacher was on his way to his school in Katihar district when two Scorpios intercepted his e-rickshaw on Friday. A dozen men emerged from the vehicles, brandishing guns and kidnapping Avnish.
Avnish, a resident of Rajaura in Begusarai district, was allegedly in a four-year-long relationship with Gunjan, a woman from Lakhisarai district, NDTV reported. However, he reportedly refused to formalise the relationship into marriage. Gunjan and her family took matters into their own hands after Avnish’s refusal, resulting in the event.
According to the police, the latest incident comes as 2024 witnessed the highest reported cases of forced marriages in Bihar in the past 30 years.
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Gunjan claimed that she and Avnish had been in a serious relationship, with frequent visits to hotels and stays at his residence in Katihar. “He had promised to marry me and start a family,” Gunjan alleged, as quoted by NDTV’s report. “We were in love for four years. But when I informed my family about it, and we approached him for marriage, he refused. This was unacceptable.”
Three days before the incident, Gunjan’s family allegedly discovered the couple together in Katihar. After this, they abducted Avnish and conducted a temple wedding against his will.
Following the ceremony, Gunjan reportedly travelled with her family to Avnish’s home in Rajaura, but chaos ensued. Avnish managed to escape, and when Gunjan arrived at his house, his family refused to accept her as part of the household, the report stated.
Gunjan has filed a complaint with the police, seeking justice. However, Avnish has denied any romantic involvement. “I had no love for that girl,” he stated. “She harassed me by repeatedly calling and stalking me. On the day of the incident, some men kidnapped me in a Scorpio vehicle while I was on my way to school. They beat me, forcibly applied vermilion, and tried to perform rituals. I protested throughout.”
Avnish has also filed a complaint with the police, accusing Gunjan’s family of kidnapping and physical assault.
