Kidnapping for marriage unchecked in Bihar

Patna senior SP Manu Maharaj, who has also served as SP in Rohtas, told The Indian Express: “In most cases, a boy runs away with a minor girl who may be willing to marry him, but who finally goes with the will of her parents..”

Former Araria SP Shivdeep W Lande, now the governor’s aide de camp, said sometimes kidnapping cases are lodged against boys because of old family rivalries. In some cases, girls’ families too have kidnapped prospective grooms, he said. “I recall a bodyguard of mine was kidnapped when I was posted in Jamalpur. When the kidnappers realised he was a policeman, they let him go.”