The motorcycle that was to be given to Nabi. Picture by Anirban Choudhury

Shibkata (Alipurduar), April 7: A 30-year-old ration dealer from a village in Kumargram has been accused of skipping his own wedding after registering the marriage nearly a month ago.

Nabi Hussain had allegedly demanded a motorcycle and 20gm of gold as dowry, which his in-laws were ready to give him. Now, an FIR has been lodged against Nabi and his father, Faizuddin, who had helped arrange the marriage.

The duo could be charged with cheating and dowry-related crimes, said an advocate here.

The father of the bride said apart from the gifts, he had spent around Rs 1 lakh on the wedding, which was to be held here yesterday. “The pandal was ready and more than 500 invited guests came and had dinner. But the groom never showed up.”

The worried father called up Nabi’s family. “Faizuddin said they could not come because Nabi was missing. I repeatedly requested them to attend the wedding because my daughter’s future was at stake, but they did not seem to care.”

The bride’s father travelled from Shibkata to Chhoto Daldali in Kumargram, around 25km away, last night in search of Nabi. But his friends told him to wait till morning and he spent the night at a relative’s place. Today, when he confronted Faizuddin, he was again told that Nabi had been missing for three-four days.

“So I decided to file an FIR against Nabi and his father with the Kumargram police station,” said the businessman from Shibkata.

Nabi and Faizuddin together own a ration shop in Chhoto Daldali.

The marriage was registered on March 11 in the presence of both the families. The date of the social ceremony was fixed on March 31. However, Nabi’s mother reportedly fell ill and it was postponed to April 6.

“In our society, the ceremony is more important than the registration of marriage. Now I will have to think whether to send my daughter to Nabi or not, because I cannot trust them,” said the bride’s father.

Alok Karmakar, an advocate who had also overseen the marriage registration, said: “A number of cases can be registered against the groom and his father. The police will decide under which section they will start the case. In this case, charges of cheating and dowry can be brought against the duo.”

When The Telegraph tried to contact Faizuddin, he repeatedly disconnected the line. Police said a case had been started.