Daijiworld Media Network - Ahilyanagar

Ahilyanagar, Mar 25: A high-profile gang that allegedly lured men into marriage traps and fled with cash and jewellery soon after weddings has been busted by police in Kopargaon taluk of Maharashtra. Three women have been arrested, while three other accused are absconding.

The incident came to light after a youth from Ravanda village in Kopargaon was approached by mediators from Nashik with a marriage proposal. Talks were held between September 21 and October 31, 2025, following which the groom agreed to the alliance, unaware that it was a trap.

According to police, just two days after the wedding, the bride fled with gold and silver ornaments along with cash from the house. Realising he had been cheated, the groom approached the Kopargaon Taluka Police Station, where a case was registered on February 18, 2026.

Under the guidance of Police Inspector Sandeep Koli, a team tracked down the accused to the Adgaon Naka area in Nashik. Acting swiftly, police arrested Kashish Sukhdev Bhalerao, Namrata Sukhdev Bhalerao and Bhoomi Kiran Nikam. During interrogation, the accused confessed to orchestrating the fake marriage in collusion.

Police have recovered part of the stolen valuables, including cash amounting to Rs 2.29 lakh and some gold and silver ornaments.

Officials suspect the gang may have duped several other youths using a similar modus operandi, and further investigation is underway to uncover more details.

Police Inspector Koli has urged the public to exercise caution while finalising marriage alliances. “Verify the background of the person and their family thoroughly and do not blindly trust mediators. If such fraud occurs, report it immediately,” he said.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge, Additional SP Somnath Waghchaure and Deputy SP Amol Bharti, along with the Kopargaon police team.