In an unusual turn of events, a rape accused in Odisha’s Ganjam district married the victim inside the premises of a sub-jail on Sunday.
The ceremony, held at Kodala Sub-Jail, was attended by family members of both the bride and groom, several dignitaries, and jail officials, creating an atmosphere of celebration within the prison walls.
The accused, 26-year-old Suryakant Behera, was an undertrial lodged in Kodala Sub-Jail. Before his arrest in November last year, Behera had been working in Surat, Gujarat, and was reportedly in a relationship with the woman who later filed a rape complaint against him.
According to the bride’s lawyer, PK Mishra, misunderstandings between the two families had led the 22-year-old woman to lodge the complaint. With both parties now reaching a mutual agreement, they decided to formalize their relationship through marriage.
Kodala jailer Tarinisen Dehuri explained that the marriage was conducted after receiving due permissions and ensuring compliance with all legal formalities. The wedding followed traditional Hindu customs, with elders blessing the couple during the rituals.
Interestingly, the groom arrived at the wedding venue in a decorated electric vehicle arranged by jail authorities. However, all other expenses, including wedding attire and arrangements, were borne by the families.
After the wedding rituals concluded, Behera was sent back to his prison cell while his new bride returned home. His father expressed hope that he would soon be released and that the couple would begin a happy married life outside the prison walls.
This unusual wedding left many astonished, showcasing a strange blend of love, legality, and tradition inside a jail.
