Islam (22) had hardly reached his fiancee Shaista’s house in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, when he got a phone call about an accident at home. He was told that his mother, Munassira, had died. “It was the first wedding in the family. It has turned into mourning now,” Islam said. Islam, his father Idris and 50 relatives had left in a chartered bus for Bijnor at 6.30 am on Friday. The wedding party was about to reach Sherkot in Bijnor, when they got a call informing them that five of their family had been charred to death. “We could not believe it. Idris, Islam and a few others hired a car and rushed back to Delhi. The bus followed behind,” Islam’s uncle, Mohammad Sahir, said. Idris and his sons were too shocked to weep when they reached their house around 3 pm. Idris was also called to AIIMS by police to identify the bodies, which will be handed over to the family after autopsy. “Preparations for the wedding had started two days ago. Guests and relatives had been coming and many stayed in the two flats that Idris owns. The baaraat had left early in the morning and was to return with the bride in the evening. The women and children had stayed behind to prepare for the walima, which was scheduled for Saturday. The venue and cooks for the wedding had been arranged. The maulvi who was asked to solemnise the marriage will now lead the funeral prayers,” Sajida, a neighbour, said.
