In a shocking turn of events, a case from Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras has surfaced, where a brother and sister allegedly got married, and several already-married couples tied the knot again in a fraudulent scheme to claim benefits meant for newlywed couples from economically weaker sections.
The scandal came to light after local residents lodged a complaint, prompting the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to initiate an investigation into the matter.
The fraud was executed under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, a government scheme designed to offer financial support to newly married couples. The scheme provides Rs 35,000 directly into the bride’s bank account, essential goods worth Rs 10,000, and Rs 6,000 to cover the marriage ceremony’s expenses.
According to reports, two already-married couples residing in Sikandrarao, Hathras, participated in a second wedding under the scheme to fraudulently claim these benefits. Shockingly, a case of a brother and sister marrying each other has also been reported as part of the scam.
Residents of the area raised concerns about these fake marriages and approached the SDM to investigate the issue. The complaint also implicated a municipal employee who allegedly arranged the fraudulent marriages to claim funds under the community marriage scheme.
SDM Ved Singh Chauhan has assured a thorough investigation into the matter, stating that appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty.
The fraudulent activity occurred during a mass marriage event held in Hathras on December 15, 2023, where 217 couples were married. The scale of the event has raised further suspicions, as investigations now focus on identifying how many of these marriages were legitimate.
The exposure of such fraudulent practices has sparked outrage and highlighted the need for stricter monitoring of government schemes to prevent misuse.
