Forced Marriage Victim: Bihar Teacher Speaks Out Against Unwanted Union

PATEPUR (VAISHALI) – A teacher, a victim of forced marriage in Vaishali district of Bihar, has stepped forward, asserting that the union was against his will and tarnished his image.

Following a court statement, the teacher revealed additional details to the media, claiming evidence related to the forced marriage was documented on his shirt.

Within 12 days of his selection as teacher through BPSC, Gautam Kumar was kidnapped. His grandfather, Rajendra Rai, filed an FIR against five people in Patepur police station, alleging kidnapping. During the investigation, it was discovered that the teacher was subjected to a forced marriage (pakadwa vivah) in the Mahanar police station area. The police presented the rescued teacher in court on Friday, where his statement under section 164 CrPC was recorded before a judicial magistrate.

Police arrested Brijbhushan Prasad alias Bhushan Rai, son of Late Repura village resident Lakhendra Rai, on Friday. Police are currently conducting raids to apprehend other accused individuals.

The victimized teacher shared many revelations with the media after giving statement in the court. He mentioned writing names on shirt during the kidnapping, providing vital information about their whereabouts. He recounted the incident on November 30, when the kidnappers left him with a girl, her mother, and sister-in-law in two-three vehicles around 2:30 pm. Approximately 7-8 people were involved in the incident.

Regarding the court statement, Kumar affirmed that the details shared with the media align with what was presented in court. Expressing distress over the treatment received, Kumar emphasized feeling disgraced and having his image ruined by the viral circulation of the photo. Now Kumar says that he does not wish to marry, expressing fear and threats received from relatives via phone calls.

Kumar stated that the marriage was not of his free will and occurred at gunpoint, refusing to accept it.

The incident involves Gautam Kumar, son of Satyendra Kumar Rai, being kidnapped from Repura Middle School at around 3 pm on Wednesday. Angered by the kidnapping, locals blocked State Highway 49 at Shivna Chowk for over five hours. Patepur police station recovered the kidnapped teacher and the girl with whom the marriage was arranged within 24 hours. The girl is currently staying in her maternal home.