Gangster groom arrested at his wedding, bride begs cops to let rituals complete

Police say the accused, who was already facing multiple criminal cases, ran a network that lured victims through women, filmed compromising videos and demanded money.

A dramatic scene unfolded in a Bhopal police station as a bride arrived there appealing to officers to allow her arrested groom to complete their wedding rituals after he was taken into custody during a pre-wedding ceremony.

The woman, identified as Seema, reached the police station with henna on her hands, haldi (turmeric paste) on her face and a garland around her neck, and pleaded with officers to allow her fiance to return briefly so that the marriage could take place.

According to police, she told officers that preparations for the wedding had already been completed and guests were present at her home. She requested that the accused be released for a few hours or that the marriage rituals be conducted while he remained in custody.

“Sir, please allow the wedding rituals to be completed. My life will be ruined. I had no knowledge of his crimes,” she reportedly told police.

However, police did not accept her request. Her lawyer also sought time in court to allow the marriage rituals to be completed, but the plea was not granted.

Police said the groom, Akash Neelkanth, was arrested from a marriage garden in the Lalghati area during the haldi ceremony. His reception had been scheduled for the following day.