In Haryana, at least two marriages have been canceled in recent weeks after the grooms allegedly requested luxury cars ahead of the wedding.
The first case was reported in the Mahendergarh district, where a Border Security Forces Sub-Inspector (BSF) requested either a Creta or a Harrier car from the bride’s family.
The bride and her brother recorded the phone call in which the sub-inspector allegedly complained about the furniture her family had provided in Lagan (days before the wedding).
The groom is said to have insulted the bride on the phone and said that she was receiving a monthly salary from ₹70,000 and still “the quality of the beds, sofa sets and furniture given by the family is poor”.
“Your father gave ₹1 as a dowry. I had asked for either a Creta or a Harrier car. I don’t need a small car, ”he added.
Later, the girl’s family and local people held a panchayat and decided to cancel the wedding, which was due to be celebrated on November 22nd.
Following the girl’s complaint, the groom, his father and his mother were arrested by Mahendergarh police for requesting a dowry and were later released on bail.
In the second incident, on December 7th, Karnal Police booked a groom, father and uncle for alleged claims ₹20 lakh cash and a fortuner in a marriage on December 6th.
In her complaint, the bride, who is legal advisor to the Ministry of Education of the Haryana government in Panchkula, alleged that Jind’s groom, who is a scientist and employed in the Union government, allegedly had an all-terrain vehicle and ₹20 lakh cash when the wedding ceremony was held.
After a major drama, the marriage was not celebratory and both parties filed complaints against each other at the Karnals Civil Lines police station.
Karnal City DSP Abhilaksh Joshi said the groom and bride contacted the police and signed a compromise document.
“We are investigating the case thoroughly and will see how both parties react,” he added.
Preeti Bhardwaj Dalal, the incumbent chair of the Haryana Women’s Commission, said she took Suo Moto in both cases and is personally watching the investigation.
“The police are investigating and we don’t have a report yet. It is encouraging that girls are fighting the dowry. The state government has already asked government employees to provide written information on their marriage and dowry details, ”said Dalal.
“In the Karnal case, I visited the girl’s family. The groom apologized to the bride and her family. He also told people not to take dowries, ”she added.
Meham Chaubisi President Tulsi Grewal said the khaps would organize seminars urging people not to give or receive dowries.
“After witnessing recent dowry cases in which girls have shown exemplary courage, we have decided to educate our elders and daughters on this matter. The police should act strictly against those who ask for a dowry, ”he added.
