Berhampur, Nov 23: A bride staged a dharna outside her groom’s house in Berhampur after the groom did not turn up to the marriage.

The bride along with social activist Pramila Devi staged dharna at lane 2 of Bramha Nagar in Berhampur locality.

The bride and the groom have reportedly married as per the ‘Special Marriage Act, 1954’ (court marriage) in Khordha on September 7, 2020, and since then, the groom’s family has been torturing her.

The bride also alleged that the groom had sexually exploited her before. Later, she returned to her parents.

However, after further consultation between the two families, it was decided to perform a wedding according to Hindu rituals on November 22, 2021. However, when the bride called the groom and his family on Nov 21, they didn’t respond to the call.

Berhampur SP Pinak Mishra said, “The woman has alleged that she has already lodged a complaint with the police on some matter. The girl has again lodged a complaint against the boy and his family members. The investigation has already started in this matter.”