Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: In a shocking case that mirrors a Bollywood script, a 23-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly marrying 25 men across multiple states in just seven months, only to flee days later with gold, cash, and electronics. Identified as Anuradha Paswan, the accused was apprehended in Bhopal on Monday, May 19, after a sting operation by Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur police.
According to a Times of India report, Paswan was part of a meticulously organised marriage scam targeting vulnerable bachelors from smaller towns. Her con involved posing as an ideal bride, marrying the groom with legal documentation in place, and vanishing soon after, leaving behind financial ruin.
Groom Duped Days After Wedding
The case came to light when Vishnu Sharma, a resident of Sawai Madhopur, lodged a police complaint on May 3. He claimed he had paid Rs 2 lakh to agents Sunita and Pappu Meena, who introduced him to Anuradha. The pair got married in court on April 20. However, by May 2, Sharma returned home to find his bride and valuables gone.
She reportedly fled with gold jewellery, cash, and electronic gadgets. Acting on Sharma’s complaint, police launched a covert operation and planted an undercover officer posing as a groom. When one of the agents circulated Anuradha’s photo for another prospective match, authorities tracked her to Bhopal and arrested her before she could con another victim.
What Did the Probe Reveal?
Originally from Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, Anuradha had previously worked in a hospital before leaving her husband following a domestic dispute. She later moved to Bhopal, where she allegedly joined a fraud ring running a matchmaking scam via WhatsApp groups.
Police say she recently conned another man out of Rs 2 lakh and was actively preparing for another fake wedding. Several members of the gang have been identified, and inter-state coordination is underway to bust the full network.
