Uttar Pradesh: Groom’s father Shakeel elopes with bride’s mother Asma Khatun, leaving behind 16 children

In an incident that seems almost unbelievable, a groom’s father has eloped with a bride’s mother just days before their children’s wedding. This shocking event has left family and friends reeling. The eloping duo abandoned their families and a total of 16 children, leaving behind a wake of confusion and heartbreak.

The man, identified as Shakeel, has run off with the woman, identified as Asma Khatun. The situation escalated to legal action when Asma’s husband, Mohammad Pappu, filed a complaint.

Following Pappu’s complaint, an FIR (First Information Report) number 206/2024 was registered on July 11 at the Ganj Dundawara police station in Kasganj district, under the direction of Superintendent of Police (SP) Aparna Kaushik. The complaint led to charges against the accused under section 366 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to kidnapping.

The families had arranged the marriage of their children about two months prior. Asma’s father, a labourer, explained that Shakeel, an e-rickshaw driver and a family friend of 28 years, had frequently visited their home and proposed the marriage of his son to Asma’s daughter.

The wedding was set for June 17, coinciding with the day of Eid.

However, in the lead-up to the wedding, the 35-year-old Asma and Shakeel began communicating more frequently. As the wedding date approached, the pair eloped on June 3, leaving behind their combined 16 children—Shakeel’s ten and Asma’s six, along with an adopted niece, bringing Asma’s total to seven.

Desperate to find his wife and Shakeel, Asma’s father searched extensively, but to no avail. He then approached the police, who were also unable to locate the missing pair.

Pappu subsequently sought help from the SP, leading to the official registration of an FIR and the commencement of an investigation.

In his complaint, Pappu accused Shakeel of kidnapping his wife, claiming that Shakeel had used his visits to their home, necessary for the wedding arrangements, to seduce Asma. He emphasised that there has been no communication or news about his wife since her disappearance.

CO Vijay Kumar Rana confirmed that the initial missing person report was filed on June 8 after Pappu informed the police of his wife’s disappearance.

Following the new application on July 11, which specifically accused Shakeel of kidnapping, the police have begun taking action in accordance with legal procedures.

As the investigation continues, the families involved are left to grapple with the emotional and social fallout of this unprecedented incident.