Bhubaneswar, Nov. 27: Well-wishers, an ornate mandap and a lavish buffet were ready for the marriage reception of actor Dushmant Panda and actress Kajal Mishra at a hotel in the city today. But the groom was nowhere to be seen. Priti Mohanty, the woman who claims to have been cheated by Dushmant after a two-year relationship, had reached the venue even before Kajal was there and sat on a dharna.

Police was on alert since the afternoon and had been keeping vigil in civilian clothes at the venue because Priti, who had staged a sit-in on Saturday outside Dushmant’s house, had announced that she would kill herself at the wedding venue if the function took place. A PCR van was also on the guard and other arrangements were made to avoid any untoward incident.

Interestingly, the decorated mandap was empty till dusk. Later, as Kajal’s relatives turned up, news spread that the groom would be missing the event. Sources said Dushmant skipped the ceremony fearing arrest as he was facing charges of bigamy. The bride’s family members, however said that since the marriage ceremony had already taken place in a low-key affair at a city temple, the party was thrown by them for Kajal’s friends.

“This is the reception from the bride’s family and hence the groom and his family will not attend. They will organise another party in Berhampur on December 2,” said Kajal’s maternal uncle Binay Tripathy.

Only around 50 guests had turned up when Priti reached the venue and sat in front of the welcome gate of the mandap with banners demanding arrest of Dushmant. The family members of Kajal had a heated exchange with Priti, who was accompanied with two of her friends.

“I want Dushmant to be arrested as soon as he reaches the venue. I am not here to interrupt the ceremony, but I will stage a peaceful protest and not leave until he is arrested,” said Priti.

Kajal’s relatives insisted that Priti should leave the premises. “She may stage a dharna outside the hotel campus, but she is disturbing our function and causing inconvenience to our guests,” said Kajal’s brother Kushal Mishra. He later lodged a complaint with Baragada police to evict Priti from the premises.

After sometime, Kajal’s family parked a car right in front of the protesting Priti so that she was not visible to their guests. While the drama was unfolding, the police acted as mere spectators.

“The girl is staging a peaceful dharna without obstructing the ceremony. Hence, we cannot take any action against her. We are keeping a watch on the proceedings,” said a senior police officer.

After around 8pm, decked in bridal make-up and ornaments, actress Kajal reached the function. She was escorted by her relatives to the mandap where she was seated alone while the groom’s chair was empty. She reasoned that Dushmant could not make it to the event because of health problems.

“My husband is not here since he is unwell,” she said. Ignoring Priti’s protests, Kajal said she was not a part of the controversy and thus did not want to comment.

The party continued while Priti was sitting outside with her two friends. Yesterday, after she staged the dharna before Dushmant’s house, chairperson of the State Commission for Women Jyoti Panigrahi promised to help her. Priti left the spot after the assurance of action against Dushmant. The commission also directed Mahila Police to take action against the actor.