Dubai-returned groom, 150 baraatis stranded in Punjab as Instagram bride vanishes without a trace: ‘Sastagram ka pyaar’

A Dubai-returned groom, along with his 150 'baraatis,' was left shocked after arriving in Punjab's Moga when he found that his bride was "missing" and the wedding venue was nonexistent.

As reported by PTI citing the police, Deepak Kumar (24), who returned to Jalandhar from Dubai a month ago to marry Manpreet Kaur, who he had been talking to on Instagram for three years, but had never met, the police said.

Also Read: Bengaluru roads leave ‘bad impression of India’; techie expresses frustration; netizens react

After the incident, the groom complained to the bride, they said.

The police said that the two had connected on Instagram three years ago but had never met in person.

Deepak said that he, along with his family, travelled from Mandiali village in Jalandhar to Moga for his wedding at the venue, as communicated by the bride.

“Upon reaching Moga, the bride's family told that some people would escort him and his family to the wedding venue. However, even after waiting till 5 pm, no one showed up,” he said.

He said they asked locals about the venue 'Rose Garden Palace', but they informed them that there was no such place in Moga.

The groom said that he worked as a labourer in Dubai and had been in touch with Kaur through Instagram for three years. He had seen her photos but never met her in person.

Also Read: Viral video: Chennai grandfather turns flooded yard into playground for grandchildren; netizens react

Officials said their parents had arranged the wedding over phone calls, adding that he also claimed to have transferred ₹50,000 to her earlier.

Deepak's father Prem Chand said he along with 150 'baraatis' came for the wedding, and that he had already hired taxis, paid for catering and a videographer.

Kaur hails from Moga and had earlier told that she works in Ferozepur, he said. “The marriage was fixed after speaking to her parents over the phone and guests were invited for the wedding,” Chand said.

Also Read: Zomato on train: Bengaluru techie take ‘revenge’ from food delivery app; netizens react

Meanwhile, Moga Assistant Sub-Inspector Harjinder Singh said they have received a complaint from Deepak Kumar. He said the complaint was lodged after the groom's family could not reach the bride as her phone was switched off.

Netizens react

A user commented, "Finally, Prem Chand became Manik Chand."

Another said, “Blinded by social media. Aren't these youth aware that pictures can be misused & somebody else's pics can be used to scam? How Dumb & made others also stupid.”

Another said, “Sastagram ka pyar.”

A user added, "The grievance caused because of amassing illegal, immoral money and properties. Such money and properties finds its own ways to decay. It's natural."

(Woth inputs from PTI)