Student Allegedly Kidnapped and Forced into Marriage in Bihar's Samastipur District
In a shocking incident from Bihar's Samastipur district, a 22-year-old student was allegedly kidnapped and coerced into marriage under duress, as confirmed by police authorities on Wednesday. The victim, identified as Nitish Kumar, has detailed a harrowing ordeal that began on February 7th.
Details of the Alleged Abduction and Forced Marriage
According to Nitish Kumar's complaint, he was returning from a library when his friends, identified as Kundan Rajvanshi and Rahul, offered him a cold drink. Unbeknownst to him, the beverage was allegedly laced with sedatives. Nitish claims he was rendered unconscious shortly after consumption and subsequently abducted.
The student further alleges that he was taken to a nearby village and forced to marry Lakshmi Kumari, the daughter of Shankar Rai, while still under the influence of drugs. He was held captive for approximately two days, during which he was administered additional sedatives to maintain his subdued state.
Viral Video and Police Intervention
During his captivity, Nitish managed to record a video statement pleading for help, which later went viral on social media platforms. The footage from the wedding ceremony shows Nitish appearing visibly disoriented and struggling to participate in the garland exchange ritual. Another video purportedly depicts him locked inside a room, desperately calling for assistance after being held for over 24 hours.
Nitish, a resident of Chakraj Ali village under the Patori police station jurisdiction, was preparing for competitive examinations at the time of the incident. He was allegedly confined in a house located merely 4 kilometers from his own residence.
Upon regaining full consciousness, Nitish began shouting for help. His captors reportedly showed him videos of the wedding ceremony, which he promptly forwarded to his parents. The family, who had been searching for him, immediately informed the police after viewing the distressing footage.
Police Response and Investigation Status
DSP (Patori) B K Medhavi stated, "Nitish's family members were searching for him. After seeing the video, they informed the police and lodged a kidnapping complaint at Patori police station on Tuesday."
Police conducted a swift raid in Chakraj Ali village, successfully rescuing Nitish and reuniting him with his family. However, no arrests have been made at this stage.
SHO Anil Kumar of Shahpur Patori police station explained, "No arrests have been made so far as the victim's statement is yet to be recorded. The bride's family has claimed it was an arranged marriage. Villagers had earlier attempted to mediate between the two families. Further action will be taken after recording the victim's statement."
Ongoing Developments and Community Impact
The case has been officially registered, and a thorough investigation is currently underway. The conflicting narratives between the victim's allegations of kidnapping and forced marriage versus the bride's family's claim of an arranged marriage add complexity to the situation.
This incident has raised serious concerns about student safety and the prevalence of forced marriages in certain regions. The viral nature of the videos has brought significant public attention to the case, putting pressure on authorities to ensure a transparent and just resolution.
As the investigation progresses, police are expected to record detailed statements from all parties involved, including Nitish Kumar, the alleged perpetrators, and the bride's family. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for how similar incidents are handled in the future.
