Overview
- Police arrested Mukesh and Sunita Bairagi after families waited at a Dewas temple and no brides or organisers appeared, a case that followed the May 24 gathering.
- Authorities have registered an FIR naming four people and say two other suspects are still absconding with searches ongoing.
- Investigators allege the organisers downloaded and circulated photos from social media and claimed the women were from an Indore orphanage to convince grooms and their families.
- Reports say victims paid between about Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000 each, with some accounts specifying Rs 12,000–20,000 plus a Rs 2,000 registration fee, and police are tracing payments and receipts.
- Officials estimate roughly 42 grooms were targeted but only about 10 families have formally complained, a gap blamed on social stigma that could hinder evidence gathering and restitution.