A surprising marriage case has emerged from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where a 20-year-old woman has married a 22-year-old man whom she had regarded as her brother and tied a rakhi to for nearly 15 years.
The woman, identified as Nandini Pandey, married Shashwat Gupta after the two left their respective home on September 20. Following the marriage, the newlywed couple appealed for protection and said they had married with mutual consent.
Nandini's family has strongly opposed the marriage. According to the family, Shashwat had been visiting their home for several years and Nandini regarded him as her brother. Her mother said Nandini had tied rakhi to him for around 15 years.
The family said they were unaware of the nature of the relationship between the two until they left home and got married.
Nandini, however, has given a different account. In a video released after the marriage, she said that she and Shashwat were in love and had married with their own consent.
She appealed to her family and others not to harass the couple. Nandini said she was happy with her husband and was currently living with him.
Woman Makes Allegations Against Family
Nandini also alleged that her father had subjected her to physical and mental harassment. She claimed that she had been unwell for a long period and had not received proper medical care.
According to Nandini, her husband and in-laws have been taking care of her since the marriage and are ensuring that she receives medical treatment.
She also rejected her family's allegation that she had left home after taking ₹2 lakh. Nandini claimed that her family did not have such a large amount of money.
Family Performs Funeral Rituals
Nandini's father reportedly learned about the marriage on September 21. Following this, the family expressed anger by making an effigy of Nandini and performing funeral rituals, treating her as though she had died.
Her mother said the family had severed all ties with Nandini. The family has also raised questions about the future of the marriage and expressed concerns about her safety.
The family alleged that Shashwat had misled Nandini and taken her away. Nandini, on the other hand, has denied the allegation and maintained that she left home voluntarily and married Shashwat by her own choice.
The two sides have therefore presented sharply different accounts of the circumstances surrounding the marriage. Further clarity is expected from official facts and any police investigation into the matter.