What should have been a day of celebration in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, ended in confusion, anger, and disbelief. On May 24, 2026, forty two families arrived at a mass wedding venue expecting to see their sons get married. By night, there were no brides, no ceremonies, and no proper explanation for what had happened.
Families had come from nearby rural and semi-urban areas, many after weeks of preparation. They were dressed for weddings, carrying gifts and essentials, and had arrived with genuine hope that this would finally settle long-pending marriage arrangements in their families.
How the Families Were Contacted
In the days leading up to the event, families were allegedly approached by individuals claiming to organise a mass wedding ceremony. The organisers said they were arranging marriages at a low cost for financially struggling families.
They also claimed that brides would come from an orphanage in Indore called Matru Chhaya Ashram. This detail made the arrangement sound more trustworthy. For many families, the idea that the women were from an orphanage reduced suspicion and made the offer seem socially legitimate.
Over time, trust was built through repeated phone calls and WhatsApp messages. Some families said they were even shown video calls and detailed profiles of prospective brides. Photographs, age details, and wedding schedules were shared, making everything appear properly arranged.
Arrival at the Venue
On the morning of May 24, families started arriving at the venue in Dewas. Some reached as early as 8 a.m., expecting rituals and preparations to already be in place.
But the scene at the venue was unusual. There were no wedding decorations, no mandap setup, and no clear sign of an organised ceremony. Despite this, families were asked to wait.
The organisers, identified as Mukesh Bairagi and his wife Sunita, reportedly kept assuring everyone that the brides were on their way from Indore. As hours passed, the same message continued, with small changes in explanation but no actual progress.
Long Hours of Waiting
As the day moved forward, families remained at the venue, unsure of what was really happening. Some tried calling the organisers repeatedly, while others waited for updates that never came.
There was no proper food arrangement or clear communication. Many families stayed because they believed the brides might still arrive any moment. The situation stretched from morning into late evening.
By the time night approached, frustration had already started to grow among the waiting groups.
When the Truth Became Clear
Around 10 p.m., it became obvious that no wedding would take place. No brides had arrived, and no ceremony had been prepared at any point.
At that stage, confusion turned into anger. Families began confronting the organisers, demanding answers. Many felt they had been deliberately misled after spending the entire day waiting.
The situation escalated at the venue, and police were eventually called to manage the crowd and prevent further disturbance.
Money Paid and Losses Reported
According to reports, each family had paid between ₹12,000 and ₹20,000 to participate in the event. Collectively, the amount involved is estimated to be over ₹10 lakh.
For many of the families, this was not a small expense. In rural households, such amounts are often saved over long periods. The money was reportedly paid with the understanding that it would cover arrangements related to the mass wedding.
However, beyond financial loss, the emotional impact has been far greater. Families came with expectations of marriage ceremonies and returned with disappointment and embarrassment.
Police Action and Arrests
Following complaints, Madhya Pradesh Police registered a case and began investigating the matter. Mukesh Bairagi and his wife, Sunita Das Bairagi, were arrested in connection with the alleged scam.
Two other individuals linked to the case are currently absconding, and efforts are underway to trace them. Investigators are also looking into whether more people were involved in planning or executing the fraud.
Authorities are examining digital evidence, including phone records and online communications, to understand how the families were contacted and convinced.
Use of Fake Profiles and Social Media Images
One of the key allegations in the case is the use of photographs taken from social media platforms. These images were reportedly used to create fake profiles of brides.
These profiles were then shown to families during communication to build trust and credibility. This method helped make the arrangement appear real and well-organised.
Investigators believe this digital manipulation played a major role in convincing families that the weddings were legitimate.
Why the Scam Worked
The incident has raised serious questions about how such a large number of families could be misled.
Mass weddings are not uncommon in parts of India, especially in rural regions where individual ceremonies can be expensive. Because such events are known to exist, people tend to trust them more easily.
In this case, that familiarity appears to have been exploited. The promise of arranged marriages through an orphanage added emotional credibility and reduced suspicion.
Combined with repeated communication and fake documentation, the setup appeared genuine until the very end.
A Case That Left More Than Financial Damage
For the families involved, the Dewas incident is not just about money lost. It is about trust, expectations, and public humiliation after hours of waiting.
What was supposed to be one of the most important days in their lives ended in confusion and disappointment. The case continues to be investigated, but for the affected families, the impact of that long day in Dewas is likely to stay much longer than the headlines.
References:
- The Indian Express- “42 grooms, 0 brides: Mass wedding scam in Madhya Pradesh”.
- Times of India – Dewas mass wedding fraud report (Bhopal/Indore editions).
- Hindustan Times – MP mass wedding scam news coverage.
- NDTV – Report on 42 families cheated in fake mass wedding.
- The Tribune – Dewas marriage racket and police investigation report.