Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Uttar Pradesh Wedding Fraud Leaves Groom Rs 1.6 Lakh Poorer
Rajesh Kumar was looking for a second marriage after getting divorced.
He was introduced to a matchmaker named Madhu Pandey.
Police say she showed him photographs of three women, and he chose one called Neha Pandey.
Rajesh traveled to Uttar Pradesh for the wedding.
The marriage took place at a temple near Khaliaari market.
After the ceremony, the group allegedly demanded money and took Rs 1.6 lakh.
They then sent Rajesh to buy sweets.
When he returned, the bride and others were gone.
Police arrested Madhu Pandey and Ashok Jaiswal while investigating the alleged fraud.
Rajesh Kumar, seeking a second marriage after divorce, was introduced to matchmaker Madhu Pandey.
Pandey allegedly promised to arrange a marriage and initially demanded Rs 2 lakh.
Rajesh married a woman identified as Neha Pandey at a temple near Khaliaari market.
After the rituals, the groom was allegedly threatened and paid Rs 1.6 lakh.
The bride and other accused allegedly fled after sending Rajesh to buy sweets; police arrested Madhu Pandey and Ashok Jaiswal.
- Who
- Rajesh Kumar was the complainant; police arrested matchmaker Madhu Pandey and Ashok Jaiswal, while the bride identified as Neha Pandey allegedly fled.
- What
- A man reported losing Rs 1.6 lakh in an alleged wedding fraud.
- When
- Rajesh reached Robertsganj on September 9 and married the following day; the arrests were reported on Wednesday.
- Where
- The marriage took place at a temple near Khaliaari market in the Robertsganj area of Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Rajesh was seeking a second marriage, while police allege the accused used the arranged marriage to obtain money.
- Reported loss
- Rs 1.6 lakh
- Initial demand
- Rs 2 lakh
- Complainant
- Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Banaskantha in Gujarat
- Matchmaker
- Madhu Pandey of Mirzapur
- Wedding location
- A temple near Khaliaari market, in the Robertsganj area
- Recovered from Madhu Pandey
- Rs 6,920 in cash and a mobile phone
- Case status
- Madhu Pandey and Ashok Jaiswal were reported arrested; police said efforts continued to locate other accused persons