Balurghat, Nov. 19: A youth, who had been in jail for nine months on rape charges, tied the knot with the woman today on the premises of a court here.

The 22-year old Mantu Rahman of Chhaghara in Harirampur had an affair with his neighbour Ulema Khatoon (19). Both used to stay together and Mantu had promised the woman that he would marry her.

But whenever Ulema talked to him about their marriage, Mantu used to avoid her. He even threatened to end the relationship if she insisted on the marriage.

On February 6, Ulema, who studied till Class V, lodged a police complaint against Mantu. The mason was arrested and produced in the court the following day and remanded in jail custody.

Since then, Mantu’s bail application had been denied. Even the high court turned down his appeal.

Realising that the only way to get freedom would be to marry Ulema, Mantu consented to tie the knot and sent the proposal through his lawyer. The additional district and sessions judge, Nurul Hassan, granted his plea.

Immediately, arrangement for the marriage was made on the court premises. The marriage was solemnised by a kazi following the Muslim rituals today.

Sweets were distributed among those, including the members of two the families, lawyers and curious crowd who witnessed the marriage.

“I do not have any grudges against him. I am counting moments for my husband’s release tomorrow,” Ulema said soon after the marriage.

Azibur Rahman, a farmer, echoed his daughter. “I am happy that good sense prevailed on Mantu. But had he accepted our proposal for marriage initially, he would not have spent so many days behind the bars,” he said.

Umar Ali, who had objected to the marriage, refused to believe that his son had an illicit relationship with the girl next door.

“I still do not believe that Mantu had any physical relationship with Ulema. But it makes me happy that my son is going to be released,” Ali said.