Odisha Couple Flee Their Wedding After Police Raid For Violation Of COVID-19 Protocols

Odisha Couple flees wedding: On Sunday evening, a bride and groom fled their own wedding after cops raided the venue for the violation of COVID-19 protocols. The incident took place in Odisha's Balasore district. The police reportedly collected a fine from the owner of the hotel where the ceremony was held and the family members of the groom as a penalty.

On Sunday, July 18, the Soro police in the Balsore district of Odisha raided a wedding. Having been informed that the ceremony violated the rules laid out for the prevention of the Coronavirus pandemic, they reached the venue. The function was held at Hotel Mangala Nilayam at NH-16 near Chhapulia Chowk, Odisha. More than 200 guests were present at the venue.

Reportedly, the groom was from West Bengal. He came to Odisha to marry a local girl violating all COVID-19 guidelines set by the Odisha Government. No sooner did the police reach the spot than the couple fled the spot. They collected Rs 3,000 from the owner of the hotel and Rs. 5,000 from the groom's family for the violation of the rules. "Though the organisers had taken permission for the marriage, they were penalised for inviting more people than prescribed," said Inspector Madhumita Mohanty. As per rules maximum 25 people are permitted to attend a wedding ceremony.

In February this year, The Mumbai police booked the parents of a newly-wed couple after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) lodged a complaint against them for violating social distancing norms. More than 350 people were present at the wedding ceremony of their children. The event was organised at the Chhedanagar Gymkhana.

An FIR was lodged against the authorities of the venue for the violation of the safety protocols. Prior to the incident, the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackrey had strictly urged everyone to adhere to the rules else there would be a possibility of imposing restrictions.