Veterinarian called to check on an ailing animal, then kidnapped and forcibly married in Bihar’s Begusarai

It was an ordinary day for the veterinarian when he was called upon to check and treat an ailing animal. When the vet responded to the call, three people kidnapped him and then married him off against his will.

The victim’s relative said the vet was called around noon to check on an ailing animal. After that, three people came and kidnapped him. The relative said that when the vet did not return, his family members got worried and went to the police. The victim’s father has also lodged a police complaint against the forceful marriage with his son.

The SP of Begusarai, Yogendra Kumar, said that the father of the veterinarian had filed a written complaint at the police station. He said that the police had asked the SHO and other authorised officials to check into the matter and conduct an investigation. He reiterated that strict action would be taken against the culprits.

‘Pakadwa Vivah’ is a common problem in States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. Bachelors are held at gunpoint and forced to marry against their will. Usually, the bride’s family kidnaps eligible bachelors who are financially and socially secure. After that, they are forced to marry the girl and threatened at gunpoint or beaten into accepting the bride.

This is not an isolated incident. A similar case happened some years back in Bihar where a 29-year-old engineer employed at the Bokaro Steel Plant was kidnapped and forced to marry a girl from the Pandarak area in Patna. The video went viral and drew flak nationally.