Parents try to ‘sell’ girl in marriage for Rs 8 lakh in Greater Noida

Sep 25, 2013 GREATER NOIDA: In a shocking incident, parents of a 14-year-old Class IX student allegedly contracted to marry her off to a physically challenged man for Rs 8 lakh in Greater Noida. The girl’s grandfather and uncle have lodged a complaint with district magistrate Hiralal Gupta asking him to conduct an inquiry. They alleged that police apathy forced them to knock for justice at the DM’s door. Sources said the incident came to light on Tuesday when the girl, a resident of Saini village in Dadri, and her relatives came to the district collectorate in Greater Noida to plead her case. Initially, on getting to know that the prospective groom was physically challenged, the girl’s father had refused the marriage proposal brought to him by his brother-in-law, Satpal, who lives in Noida. However, after the father was offered Rs 8 lakh, he agreed. As per the ‘contract’, the father has allegedly already received Rs 3 lakh, while the remaining amount was to be handed over after the wedding. The girl informed her grandfather, Ziley Singh, and uncle Gyan Chand about what her parents were planning and pleaded for help. The elders tried reasoning with the girl’s father, but blinded by his greed he refused to listen to them. They allegedly approached the police but were instead offered a compromise to dispose the matter. The girl’s relatives then decided to approach the DM. According to the SDM (Dadri), Rajesh Yadav, the case had come to the knowledge of the Bisrakh police station in Greater Noida. When police officials conducted an investigation, the parents claimed that the marriage would not be performed until the girl had turned 18 years old. “The police said they had summoned both parties on receiving a complaint,” said Yadav. “The police was informed that the youth allegedly only has a slight deformity in his foot. Moreover, the parents have denied taking any money,” he added. The SDM, however, said a detailed inquiry will be conducted. The Greater Noida superintendent of police, Brijesh Kumar, said, “We have not received a complaint as yet. If the girl and her relatives approach us, we will investigate the matter.”   ——– SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA