WhatsApp alert halts marriage in Arni

Magesh (31) from Arni was employed in a private firm at Tiruchy. His parents arranged for his marriage to a girl Meena of AV Nagar in Arni. 

The betrothal took place eight months ago and the marriage was scheduled to be held on Monday. 

A reception was held on Sunday in a grand manner. On Monday morning as part of the marriage rituals, when the groom Magesh was waiting for the bride to arrive to tie the knot, a WhatsApp message was received on his mobile phone. 

To the shock of the groom the message contained pictures of the bride Meena in the arms of someone else and the messenger identified as Vinayagam claimed that he and Meena had married eight months ago at the Registrar Office and questioned how can he marry an already married woman? Immediately Magesh discussed the issue with his parents and the marriage was stopped. 

However, the bride’s parents failed to provide a satisfactory answer to the claim in the WhatsApp message and kept quiet. Miffed by the incident, Magesh’s parents lodged a complaint with the Arni police claiming Rs 5 lakh towards marriage expenses from the girl’s parents. Police registered a case and were on the lookout for Vinayagam, who sent the message. Further investigations were on.