A murder case in Fatehabad has exposed an alleged “bride-for-money” racket after police arrested three men accused of killing a 35-year-old man who had demanded his money back from a marriage broker.
Police said Rajesh Saini, a handcart driver from Tohana town in Fatehabad district, was allegedly strangled and his body dumped in a canal following a dispute linked to a marriage arranged through a broker.
The case has shocked local residents in the district, where trafficking of brides from poorer states has often been reported due to the shortage of women in certain regions.
Investigators said Rajesh, who remained unmarried until the age of 35, had paid around Rs 2 lakh to one of the accused, Vikram, who allegedly promised to arrange a bride from Bihar.
Around 10 months ago, Vikram allegedly arranged Rajesh’s marriage with a 25-year-old woman. Police said the woman had previously been married twice in Bihar before being brought to Haryana. However, the marriage soon turned troubled.
According to the police, Rajesh was unhappy with the relationship and frequently argued with his wife. He later began demanding the return of the money he had paid for the marriage arrangement.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Jai Bhagwan said the dispute allegedly led the accused to plan the murder.
On April 22, the accused allegedly forced Rajesh to consume alcohol before assaulting and strangling him. Believing he was dead, they allegedly threw his body, along with his handcart, into the Fatehabad branch canal, police said.
Rajesh went missing from Tohana on April 22. After his family filed a complaint, police launched an investigation and recovered his body from a canal siphon on April 25. His handcart was also found nearby.
Police have arrested three accused — Vikram, Rajesh and Aman — all residents of Tohana town.
Officials said further investigation is underway and the accused would be questioned about possible links to similar marriage arrangements operating in the region.