Gujarat: Awaiting saat pheras, groom in Visavadar lands in jail

RAJKOT: All decked up, 24-year-old Anil Gujarati was all set to start a new innings of his life by tying the nuptial knot. Wearing the traditional sherwani and rose garland, he took the stage and was waiting for his wife-to-be to take the ritualistic seven vows.
But the wait got a tad longer as Anil and his family members had to cool their heels in the police station for flagrant violation of Covid-19 rules.
Following specific information of a huge crowd of revellers, a team of Visavadar police raided the venue and arrested Anil and seven others.
"We got information that a huge crowd had gathered for the marriage. There were nearly 200 people whereas the government has permitted a maximum of 50 people in marriage functions," said Pradeepsinh Jadeja, deputy superintendent of police, Junagadh.
Along with Anil, police arrested his brother Paresh, bride's father Chaku Morabiya, priest solemnizing the marriage Haresh Bhatt, videographer Ashish Chudasama, photographer Ashok Vasoya and cook Pravin Gujarati.
All were taken to the police station and an offence under relevant sections of IPC and Epidemic Diseases Act was lodged against them. "They were released on bail after four hours and allowed to complete the marriage ceremony with strict adherence to Covid rules," Jadeja said.
Anil's family had arrived in Limdhara from Paatla village of adjoining Bhesan taluka in big numbers for the marriage. Covid-19 rules had gone for a complete toss as hardly anyone had worn masks while social distancing was completely absent.
There was complete chaos when the police raided as the villagers and other revellers scurried for cover and escaped to their houses.
The post-marriage feast was also called off, said police.Cops seized the video camera and the still camera too.