A total of 113 couples were cheated out of Rs 24.86 lakh by a man who promised them a community wedding that never took place.
Amraiwadi police registered a case against Prakash Parmar, trustee of the Hindu Jan Vikas Seva Sangh Trust for collecting Rs 22,000 from each couple by fraudulent means.
The complaint was filed by Pankaj Vaghela, 27, a resident of Gurudwara Road, Odhav. Vaghela said that 45 days ago, he came across a pamphlet advertising a community mass marriage organised by the trust.
Pamphlets distributed
The pamphlet also invited those who were already married but wished to go through the ceremony according to Hindu rituals. Harshad Patel, a local social worker, revealed that many disgruntled people had gathered at the Amraiwadi police station but were initially reluctant to file formal complaints. Patel eventually persuaded Vaghela to register a complaint.
In his complaint, Vaghela said that, though already married, he wanted to perform the rituals and thus contacted the trust. The trust demanded a registration fee of Rs 22,000, promising to provide household items as well. After being shown a list of 112 other couples, Vaghela paid the fee.
The mass marriage was scheduled for Monday. However, when Vaghela visited Vastral on Sunday to check the arrangements, he found no preparations for the event. Further inquiries led him to meet other disappointed registrants.
Attempts to contact Parmar were in vain. Subsequently, Vaghela and others went to the trust’s office in the Bhartinagar area of Amraiwadi, only to find it locked. Police have filed a case of cheating and breach of trust against Parmar. The investigation is ongoing.
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