Couple was forcefully taken from gurdwara moments before their wedding ceremony; woman still missing
PUBLISHED ON JUL 29, 2021
The couple, Jagga Singh and Rashpinder Kaur, were going to tie the knot on July 27. (HT Photo)
A 22-year-old Dalit man, who was forcefully taken from a gurdwara by his fiancée’s disapproving family members just as they were about to tie the knot, was released near the canal in Daudhar village on Wednesday – a day after the incident.
The victim, Jagga Singh of Moga’s Butter village, belongs to the Dalit Boria Sikh community, while his fiancée Rashpinder Kaur hails from the affluent Jatt-Sikh community. The couple fell in love while studying together and decided to elope after they were unable to convince Rashpinder’s family to accept the alliance.
“On Tuesday, the bride and groom-to-be were waiting for their Anand Karaj (a Sikh marriage ceremony) to be performed at the Gurdwara Sahib on Jagraon-Moga highway in Kothe Baggu village, when at least 12 masked men dragged the couple out of the gurdwara and took them away around 1pm. They also attacked those who had accompanied the couple,” said Jagga’s father Puran Singh.
The accused are former Buttar village sarpanch Jaswinder Singh, Honey, Bant Singh and Rashpinder’s father, Jalore Singh. Seven of their accomplices remain unidentified.
The incident was captured on a CCTV camera at the gurdwara. One of the groom’s relatives was also able to recorded the attack.
A case was registered under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 365 (assault), 357 (use of criminal force to wrongfully confine a person), 148 (rioting) and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code.
Investigating officer Kamaldeep Kaur said the youngster was assaulted before being released. Efforts are on to find his fiancée.