Hyderabad’s infamous Bride Bazar for holding several illegal activities over the past decades has now gone online. As per the reports, the Bazar once ran in a limited span has now made its way to online platforms as well. This market usually targets women and young girls, especially from the unprivileged or weaker sections of society.
What is Hyderabad’s Bride Bazar?
These women and girls are lured in with fake promises and dreams of money and better lifestyles. They are sold in different regions of the country. In many cases, they are often sold abroad to wealthy and aged men in the name of marriage.
Expanding to Online Platforms
According to the sources, the involved gangs in holding such activities are expanding and operating through social media and other online platforms. With the help of fake profiles, they are targeting young girls and their families. These criminals are even expanding contacts to international clients abroad as well.
Recently, a case has come to light, where a 22-year-old girl named Fatima married a man three times her age in order to pay for her sister’s education and her grandmother’s treatment. The girl claimed that a video conference was made to arrange her marriage. The groom promised her INR 2 Lakh and planned to take her to Oman. Fatima was asked by Karnataka’s Mysuru agents to complete the nikah. A videoconference nikah was arranged by two agents inside an SUV in exchange for Rs 1 lakh. But the deal was canceled and now she must wait till the next proposal comes.
20 to 30 Weddings held every Month
This is part of a broader pattern where young girls were matched with wealthy Arab clients for the sake of money. In the latest investigation, it has been revealed that at least 20 to 30 such weddings are held every month with potential grooms, primarily from Oman, Bathinda, and Qatar.
Earlier, they traveled to Hyderabad to physically choose their bride. However, the entire process is now online.
Cyber Security and Authorities on Action
Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Police’s Cybercrime unit has been closely monitoring such rackets, and some suspicious websites, conducting these crimes have been recently taken down. Although many arrests have been made in the case so far, due to the deep and hidden roots of the racket, it will take some time to completely shut down these operations.
Some social activists have urged the public and state authorities to be watchful of this situation and take strict measures against the case. They are also demanding that strict laws must be enforced against such activities and special provisions have been made by the government for the safety of the women.
“Kept me as a Domestic Help”
Another young girl, a victim of such a racket shared her story, of how she escaped from such a deal. “I had to run away from the house because I realized the man was too old and he had taken me there to keep me as a domestic help. I also got only Rs 5,000 as opposed to Rs 2 lakh promised initially. The rest was siphoned off by the agents, including a lady in Oman who hosted us initially,” she added. The girl also shared that she had to beg her family to borrow some money to help her return home.
Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
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