RAMPUR, June 21 – A bizarre and distressing family drama unfolded in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur district where a 55-year-old man allegedly married a 22-year-old woman who was originally engaged to his 17-year-old son, officials confirmed on Friday.
The incident took place in Bansnagali village and came to light after family members publicly voiced their shock and anguish over what they described as a betrayal.
Shakeel (name changed), a father of six and grandfather to three, had reportedly been in frequent contact with the woman, Ayesha (name changed), following their daughter’s wedding last month, his wife Shabana said.
“He told us he was arranging her marriage with our son Aman,” Shabana recounted. While the family initially opposed the match citing Aman’s young age and financial concerns, she alleged that Shakeel aggressively insisted on going ahead with the proposal, even resorting to verbal and physical coercion.
Aman, the minor son, said he became suspicious after observing his father’s repeated phone conversations with Ayesha. “I checked his phone once and found objectionable content involving them,” he claimed. “That’s when I refused to marry her.”
Despite the rejection, Shakeel left for Delhi last week, ostensibly for work, but soon called home to declare that he had married Ayesha.
“The woman who was supposed to be my daughter-in-law has now become my husband’s wife,” Shabana said tearfully. “I never imagined this could happen to our family. And now she lives in our home.”
The incident has stirred local outrage, though no formal police complaint has been lodged yet.
“We are aware of the matter,” said Bhota Station House Officer Amar Singh Rathore. “But no FIR has been filed. If any aggrieved party comes forward, we will take appropriate action as per law.”
The episode has not only upended familial roles but has also sparked wider debates around parental misconduct, guardianship, and legal implications of such unions, particularly involving minors and significant age gaps.
