Wedding Called Off In UP After Groom's Relative Beats Bride's Dog; Clash Leaves Many Injured

Prayagraj: Wedding which began as fun and celebration ended into chaos, after a dispute over a pet dog belonging to the bride's family became a violent clash between the bride's and groom's families in Khaga tehsil of Fatehpur district. The wedding which was supposed to be celebration ended up leaving at least five people injured and  cancellation of the marriage.

Where did the incident happen?

The wedding process which started on a happy note quickly turned into an unknown trouble after the exchange of garlands on February 19.

The incident occurred at a guest house in the Khaga Kotwali area of Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district, where the 25-year-old jeweler, Sumit Kesarwani, was about to marry 19-year-old Tanu Kesarwani.

Was is it a love marriage?

The groom, Sumit Kesarwani, said that they had been in relationship and had earlier decided to marry at an Arya Samaj temple in Karpur, but after discussion with both the families, they decided that the marriage will take place with a larger ceremony and guests in Fatehpur.

What actually happen?

According to the police officials, the situation escalated during the wedding rituals when the bride's pet dog, which was tied at some distance from the venue, started barking repeatedly. 

"Members of the groom's side allegedly objected to the disturbance and attempted to quieten the dog. One individual of the groom's side individual is accused of hitting the dog, triggering a heated exchange that soon turned into a physical confrontation. 

According to the eyewitnesses, after a man from the groom's side allegedly beat the dog, the bride's family objected the act and quickly the argument turned into  a fight. Chairs and sticks were used during the violence.

The eyewitnesses said that three members of the bride's family, Rishabh Kesarwani, Shubham Gupta and Sangeeta Devi, sustained head injuries, while another suffered a fractured hand. And few members of the groom's side also received minor injuries.

Was police also involved?

After the altercation, police were called to mediate, and both the families were taken to the Khaga police station and the injured people were treated at the Central Health Center before returning to Prayagraj.

Later the next day, both the families met again at the police station, with local residents present to witness the discussions, where the bride made it clear that she did not want to go ahead with the marriage. 

SHO Khaga RK Patel said that both families reportedly agreed to settle wedding expenses, and no formal complaint was filed.