Bride accuses police of misconduct before wedding:Claims mistreatment at station; groom says, ‘guests were beaten’

A wedding in Katni district turned into a distressing ordeal after police allegedly assaulted members of a wedding party and detained the bride and groom before the ceremony. Following the incident, two sub-inspectors have been line-attached, but both families remain fearful and shaken.
The incident took place on the night of April 20, when a wedding procession arrived from Amdara in Maihar district to Indira Nagar in Katni, about 50 km away. Bride: “Police took away our happiness” Bride Richa Choudhary said the incident has left her traumatized.
“Everyone cherishes their wedding day, but I will only remember the police assault. They beat my husband, pushed me, abused us, and injured family members,” she said. Richa added that she tried to intervene and pleaded with folded hands, but was pushed aside and forcibly taken away in a vehicle along with others. See the events of April 20 in two pictures Detained before wedding rituals According to Richa, she was inside the house preparing for the ceremony when the procession arrived. Soon after, a dispute broke out between the police and the guests.
“About an hour later, police returned and started beating everyone—men, women, and even children—with sticks. Food was thrown away, and people were dragged,” she alleged.
She said she, her brother, and others were taken to a police station through a back route and made to stand in a dark room. Allegations of abuse and threats at police station Richa claimed that police personnel verbally abused them and ignored her pleas.
“I told them it was my wedding day and asked to be released. I even said my father had taken a loan for the wedding, but they kept threatening and insulting us,” she said, alleging that some officers appeared intoxicated. She further alleged that police released them only after senior officers intervened. Groom alleges assault and intimidation Groom Rajaram Verma also accused police of assault and misconduct.
“They beat the wedding guests while they were eating and took us to the police station around 2 AM. I was beaten, and the bride was mistreated. There was no female police officer present,” he said.
He also alleged that their mobile phones were seized and reset, and that police warned them: “Let the wedding happen, we will deal with you later.” Family in shock, celebrations overshadowed Despite decorations and preparations, the wedding house remains tense and devoid of joy.
Richa’s father, Parsaddi Lal Choudhary, a daily wage laborer, said he had taken a loan of ₹3 lakh for the wedding.
“We planned a grand celebration, but the police ruined everything,” he said. Allegations of caste-based atrocity The family, belonging to a Scheduled Caste, has alleged caste-based harassment.
Parsaddi Lal claimed that police used force during the feast, injuring several people, including relatives. He said one relative suffered a fractured shoulder.
Complaints have been filed with the Superintendent of Police and the SC/ST police station, demanding an FIR under the SC/ST Act. Bride’s mother also assaulted Richa’s mother, Bhagyawati Choudhary, said she was beaten while trying to protect guests.
“Guests left injured and hungry. Wedding rituals could not be completed on time. After being released around 4 AM, we hurriedly completed the remaining ceremonies,” she said. What triggered the incident? According to a relative, the dispute began around 12:30 AM when police asked for the DJ music to be stopped. The wedding party requested more time, and police initially left.
However, they returned about an hour later and allegedly used force against the gathering. Police version: Stone pelting by intoxicated crowd Additional Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar Deharia said police acted after receiving complaints from neighbors.
“People at the venue were intoxicated and pelted stones at police personnel, injuring some officers,” he said. Action taken, but fear persists While two sub-inspectors have been line-attached and some cases registered, both families say they remain under fear and trauma, with their wedding memories overshadowed by the incident.