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A shocking incident of "Pakadwa Vivah," or forced marriage, has surfaced in Bihar, India, involving a government school teacher, Avnish Kumar. Avnish alleges he was kidnapped, beaten, and forced to marry a woman at gunpoint while on his way to work.
Avnish, who recently passed the Bihar Public Service Commission exam and secured a government teaching job, was on his way to his school in Katihar district last Friday when two SUVs intercepted his e-rickshaw. A group of armed men allegedly dragged him into one of the vehicles. Hours later, he found himself forcibly married to Gunjan, a woman from Lakhisarai district, in a temple ceremony.
The alleged forced marriage is the latest in Bihar’s notorious history of "Pakadwa Vivah," where grooms are kidnapped and coerced into marriage. According to police reports, 2024 has seen the highest number of such cases in three decades.
Gunjan claims she and Avnish had been in a serious relationship for four years, frequently meeting at hotels and even staying at Avnish’s residence. "He promised to marry me and start a family," Gunjan stated, adding that her family resorted to drastic measures after Avnish refused to formalize their relationship.
A viral video of the forced marriage shows Avnish visibly distressed, surrounded by men who appeared to be coercing him to complete the rituals, while Gunjan stood nearby in bridal attire.
Avnish, however, vehemently denies any romantic involvement. "I had no relationship with her," he stated. "She harassed me by constantly calling and stalking me. On the day of the incident, I was kidnapped, beaten, and forced into this so-called marriage."
After the marriage, Gunjan accompanied her family to Avnish’s home in Rajaura, only to face rejection from his family. Avnish reportedly escaped shortly after the forced ceremony, leaving Gunjan to plead her case to the police.
Gunjan has filed a formal complaint, accusing Avnish of breaking his promise to marry her and seeking justice. In turn, Avnish has lodged a police complaint, accusing Gunjan’s family of kidnapping, physical assault, and coercion.
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