A man returning from work in Haryana was stopped and beaten by his wife’s family for sharing their wedding pictures on social media. The 25-year-old man was attacked with sharp weapons, leaving him with broken arms and legs.
A little over a year ago, on 26 June 2024, Kunal married his girlfriend, Komal Goswami, against her parents’ will. Within three to four months of the marriage, Komal (21) left Kunal and returned to her maternal home.
“They (Komal’s parents) picked fights with me after our marriage. They also called Komal back on the pretext of her grandmother being ill,” Kunal recalled, while lying on the hospital bed.
Komal filed a case of domestic violence against Kunal, demanding Rs 30,000 per month as maintenance, against his monthly salary of Rs 12,000.
Meanwhile, Kunal learnt that Komal’s family had arranged her marriage with another man in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli.
On 24 September, when Kunal was returning home from work with his father, he was stopped and attacked by bikers.
“Komal’s father asked me to delete pictures from Instagram. I asked how they could marry off Komal without divorce,” added Kunal.
Kunal and Komal are still legally married. The case is pending in court, with the next hearing scheduled for 25 October.
“Three to four people beat me with batons. One of the men recorded the incident on his phone while Komal’s father, Satish, and uncle, Rakesh, stood as spectators,” Kunal said.
Kunal is currently under treatment.
Apparently, Komal’s family, with whom she now lives after her second marriage, raised questions about these photos. Kunal was beaten to pressurise him into removing the wedding pictures from social media.
Based on Kunal’s father’s complaint, the police have registered a case against Kunal’s father, uncle, and others involved in the crime under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
(With inputs from Ankur Kapoor)