Mass wedding scam in Rajkot: Organisers flee with funds

In Gujarat, the organisers of the Rajkot Sarvajatiya Samuh Lagna disappeared on the wedding day, allegedly fleeing with the community marriage funds.A mass marriage ceremony for 28 girls of all castes, organised under the name of Rishivanshi Samaj in Rajkot, turned into chaos as the organisers vanished without a trace. Families, who had paid amounts ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000, arrived at the venue near Madhapar only to find no arrangements in place. According to State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, "A big scam has emerged in Rajkot related to a group marriage event. The organizers disappeared after arranging marriages for 28 couples. However, after their escape, the police managed to arrange marriages for six girls. Three accused – Deepak Hirani, Dilip Gohil, and Manish Vithalapara – have been arrested."

Rajkot, Gujarat: Organizers of a group marriage for 28 couples absconded after collecting ₹15,000 from each family.

Regarding the incident, State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi says, "A big scam has emerged in Rajkot related to a group marriage event. The organizers disappeared… pic.twitter.com/u1zdvOPCE9

— IANS (@ians_india) February 22, 2025

Panic spread as attendees from Rajkot and nearby districts realised they had been deceived, leaving brides in tears as they prepared to return.  Shilpaben Baghatriya, who had come to the venue for her brother-in-law's daughter's wedding, said that the organizers took Rs 15,000 from both the families of the bride and groom promising a lucrative job to the groom as soon as the marriage was over. "With the organisers disappearing, the police have stepped in to take responsibility for the weddings," said Rajkot City ACP Radhika Bharai.