A 42-year-old woman in Surat has approached the police, alleging that a man deceived her into a long-term relationship with false promises of marriage and cheated her of a substantial sum of money. The Khatodara police station has registered a case based on her complaint.
The Deception and False Promises
The complainant, a widow who lost her husband in 2014, was living with her two children at her parental home. Her life took an unexpected turn in January 2016 when she received a call from an unknown number. The caller, who introduced himself as Raj Prajapati, gradually built a friendship with her.
Prajapati allegedly gained her trust by visiting her home when her brother was unwell. He presented himself as an unmarried man, and their relationship deepened over time. The situation escalated in 2019 when Prajapati took the woman to the Saibaba temple in Navsari. There, he performed a symbolic marriage ceremony by tying a mangal sutra around her neck and assured her that a formal, registered marriage would follow soon.
The Financial Exploitation and Broken Vows
Despite the symbolic ritual, the legally registered marriage never materialized. The woman stated that Prajapati kept giving repeated excuses to delay the official process. During the course of their years-long relationship, he allegedly began asking her for money.
The complainant claims that Prajapati took Rs 15 lakh from her in multiple transactions. He reportedly cited various reasons for needing the funds, including his mother's medical treatment and other personal expenses. The woman, trusting his promises, provided him with the money.
The Truth Emerges and Legal Action
The entire facade crumbled when the woman discovered the shocking truth: Raj Prajapati was already married and was living with his son in the Pandesara area of Surat. He had concealed his marital status throughout their entire relationship.
Feeling betrayed and cheated, the widow filed a formal complaint at the Khatodara police station. The police have taken cognizance of the matter and registered a case. The charges have been filed under Sections 69, 318(4), and 54 of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). An investigation is now underway.
