Meerut love story: First bride, then sister, now woman scorned

It broke upon the news scene as a story of rare sacrifice and chivalry. But two weeks and two twists later, the 'Meerut love story' has reduced to a sordid drama. In the latest twist in the story on Thursday, the bride-turned-sister Aarti turned upon her husband-turned-brother Nitesh Tyagi and his family, accusing them of dowry related harassment, and filed a complaint with the police against them.

For those who have not been following the story, Nitesh Tyagi, 21, a supervisor in an IT firm and only son of Meerut-based transporter Anil Tyagi, married Aarti of Rudrapur on May 6. Some time later, he symbolically dissolved their matrimonial relationship by making her tie a raakhi to him, as she 'confessed' she was secretly married to an engineering student in Rudrapur.

Nitesh reportedly told Aarti he would do everything in his power to unite her with her 'husband' Vivek. Aarti, meanwhile, continued living with the Tyagis as a daughter, reflective of her new sisterly relationship with Nitesh. Late last week, she returned to her parents. Then, on Tuesday, came the news that Vivek had dumped her. "And, today (Thursday), she returned to Meerut to file a report of dowry related harassment against, Nitesh, his father and his mother. The trio have left their home and are engaged in getting legal aid to try and keep out of prison," said a source.

The story is even more complicated. Reports say Aarti's elder sister was first betrothed to Nitesh but she eloped days later with a trainee police sub-inspector. Then, it was agreed that Nitesh would marry Aarti to avoid a scandal for both families. But, "On the morning after the wedding," said Nitesh's father Anil Tyagi, "she told my son about Vivek. We thought that, since she was already married to Vivek, she could comfortably live in our house only after tying a raakhi to Nitesh. And, the marriage with my son would in any case not be legal, as she was already married. We looked upon her as our second daughter, not a daughter-in-law. The whole matter became a major media event. But, all of Nitesh's generosity came to naught after she returned to her home in Rudrapur. She came back armed with a fictitious report of harassment by our family. We were stunned."

Asked about the case, a Meerut police officer said, "It is too early to comment on the veracity of the report. Investigations into the case are on. And, we can only comment on the merits of the case after there is some headway." Asked for his views on the matter, Aarti's father, a Provincial Armed Constabulary subedar, said, "We have handed a report to the Meerut police. But, I would not like to comment on the details at this stage. Maybe later."