TUMAKURU: A woman, who married five men in three years and stole gold and cash from them , along with her accomplices, has been arrested by the Gubbi police. The woman and her accomplices had allegedly duped several men across the state.
The gang would target single men who were older in age and were on the lookout for brides. The woman, a mother of two children, would then marry the men and escape with gold and cash four days after the marriage. The accused are now cooling their heels behind bars.
In the latest case, Palakshaiah, a resident of Attigatte village in Gubbi taluk was looking for a bride for his 37-year-old son Dayananda Murthy. With no alliance materialising, Palakshaiah was worried. In the meantime, he was introduced to Basavaraju of Kushtagi who, in turn, introduced him to marriage broker Lakshmi Balasab Jankar.
Lakshmi Balasab introduced Komala, a prospective bride who had lost her parents and had two children. Along with five fake relatives, she met Palakshaiah and her marriage with Dayananda Murthy was solemnised last November 23. On the fourth day after marriage, the woman cited some custom and said she had to travel to her parental home alone.
Palakshaiah’s family gave Komala Rs 1.5 lakh in cash, mangalsutra, gold chain and ear studs, all weighing about 50 grams and sent her to Hubballi. When Komala did not return even after a week, the family got suspicious. Komala even switched off her phone. Palakshaiah’s family realised they were duped after visiting Hubballi. They later returned and lodged a complaint with the Gubbi police.
The police arrested Lakshmi, Komala, Siddappa who posed as her uncle and Lakshmibai who posed as her aunt. They have since been remanded to judicial custody.