A wedding in Punjab's Tarn Taran district was dramatically called off after the bride-to-be allegedly eloped with another woman, taking with her a significant dowry collected by her parents. The incident has sent shockwaves through the conservative community, where same-sex relationships remain deeply stigmatised.
The Disappearance and the Dowry
The family was preparing for the marriage, which was scheduled for the second week of January. The bride had recently completed her Class XII education. According to her mother, the family had taken loans to arrange the dowry, which included items like a washing machine, jewellery, and a sum of cash. Wedding invitations had already been distributed to guests.
The situation unfolded in the last week of December. The young woman was having a meal at home when her friend, a longtime classmate, called her from outside. She stepped out to meet her and the pair never returned. A subsequent check by the family revealed that cash and other valuables were missing from the house.
A Friendship Turned Romantic Relationship
Police sources and the family's account indicate that the two women had been close friends for years and were often seen together. Their friendship later evolved into a romantic relationship, a fact that neither family suspected until the sudden disappearance.
In her complaint to the police, the mother stated that the friend was a frequent visitor to their home. She also alleged that the friend's family did not cooperate after the girls went missing. Notably, the friend had previously claimed that the bride-to-be was her girlfriend, but the statement was dismissed by the family at that time.
Police Investigation and Community Impact
Senior Superintendent of Police Surindera Lamba confirmed that both women are adults. "The police are verifying the facts and making every effort to trace them," Lamba stated. The groom's family, left in a lurch, has since called off the wedding entirely.
This event has triggered intense debate and controversy in Tarn Taran. It highlights the stark clash between conservative social norms and personal relationships. The financial loss from the dowry, arranged through loans, has compounded the distress for the bride's family, turning a personal drama into a public talking point about sexuality, tradition, and societal pressure in rural Punjab.
