Groom fails to keep wedding date,arrested

Police said Lokhande,a printer by profession,had an affair with another woman and they had a baby boy from the relationship. But he kept it a secret.

Police said that the brides’ mother,a 65-year-old woman from Yerawada,had been looking for a groom for her 19-year-old daughter when,three months ago,she came to know about Lokhande from a family friend,Balu Gaikwad.

She met Lokhande and his parents and Lokhande agreed to marry her daughter The family members set 1 pm,June 2 for the wedding.

The bride’s family printed and distributed marriage cards,booked a marriage hall,bought jewellery for Lokhande and made other arrangements but on May 30,the bride’s mother got a shock when Lokhande’s cousin told them he had been held by the police as another woman with whom he allegedly had an affair,who was also the mother of their four-month-old boy,had lodged a complaint against him at Vishrantwadi police station. The bride’ mother questioned Lokhande about the matter and he admitted he had an affair but said he would still get married to her daughter on June 2.

All preparations were over and people had gathered for the marriage,but Lokhande did not turn up. He also stopped receiving calls on his mobile phone. So the bride’s family launched a search. He was finally traced to a court.

Lokhande was arrested under Section 420 (cheating) of IPC. On Friday,Judicial Magistrate (first class) S M Padolikar remanded him in police custody till June 5.

Sub inspector N D Sonawane is investigating the case.