Over 200 couples allegedly participated in fake marriage ceremonies at a mass wedding event in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia on January 25. The police have arrested 15 people, including the officers of the Social Welfare department, in connection with the alleged scam till now.

A video of the event under the state's Mass Marriage Scheme shows brides garlanding themselves during the ceremony.

Over 200 couples allegedly participated in fake marriage ceremonies at a mass wedding event in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia on January 25. The police have arrested 15 people, including the officers of the Social Welfare department, in connection with the alleged scam till now.

A video of the event under the state's Mass Marriage Scheme shows brides garlanding themselves during the ceremony.got married in July 2023. 

All of them are not eligible under the Chief Minister's Mass Marriage Scheme, the committee said in its report.

Ineligible applicants had applied illegally to get benefits under the scheme by hiding the actual facts, the report said.

The Social Welfare department's assistant development officer was negligent in examining the applications which led to this fraud.

District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar said that the funds have not yet been distributed to the beneficiaries of the mass marriage programme held in Maniyar development block.

Under this scheme, a payment of Rs 51,000 is made of which Rs 35,000 goes to the girl, Rs 10,000 for purchasing matrimonial materials and Rs 6,000 for the event, according to the government website.

BJP MLA Ketki Singh, who was present at the event, said that she learnt about the alleged fraud through media reports and assured that action would be taken against the fraudsters.

(With inputs from agencies)