Surat: Mahidharpura police have booked a couple for allegedly abducting their 18-year-old married daughter from a temple in the city. The incident occurred on Sunday evening when the woman had gone to the temple with her husband. Police have launched a search for the couple based on the husband’s complaint.Complainant Raj Pipaliya (22), a diamond worker, stated that he married Bhakti Vithani (18) on Jan 8 this year. After solemnising the marriage at Kamnath Temple in Varachha, the couple registered it with the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). According to the complaint, the two had been in a relationship for five years when they were neighbours in Katargam.Pipaliya alleged that Bhakti’s father, Jayesh Vithani, had learnt about their relationship a few months before the marriage and had assured him that he would allow the marriage once Bhakti turned 18. However, he allegedly went back on his promise, prompting the couple to marry in Jan.After the marriage, Bhakti continued to stay with her parents until June 12. She then moved to her husband’s house without informing them. Although her family repeatedly tried to persuade her to return, she refused.According to the complaint, on July 5, the couple visited Khodiyar Temple in the Lal Darwaja area. While Bhakti was offering prayers, her mother, Tejal Vithani, allegedly entered the temple, dragged her outside, where her father was waiting on a two-wheeler, and the couple allegedly forced her onto the vehicle before fleeing.Mahidharpura police inspector D U Barad said, “We searched the accused couple’s residence, but they had locked the house and left the city. Multiple teams have been formed to trace them and the abducted woman.”
