In a dramatic turn of events, police arrested an alleged gangster just moments before his wedding ceremony at a marriage venue in Bhopal on Wednesday, leaving guests shocked and the bride pleading with authorities.
According to police, the groom — identified as Akash Neelkanth — was taken into custody from the wedding stage shortly before the rituals began. Officers arrived at the venue and arrested him while guests and relatives were already present for the ceremony.
Following the arrest, the bride reportedly went to the Koh-e-Fiza Police Station and appealed to officers to allow the wedding to take place before taking action against her fiancé.
“Sahab, my life will be destroyed. What is my fault? I didn’t know about the crimes he committed. Guests are waiting at home. Haldi and other rituals have already been completed,” the bride reportedly told police.
Along with Neelkanth, police also arrested several of his associates — Rajamji Thakur, Abhishek Upadhyay, Abhishek Meena, Neeraj Khange, and Amit Oswal.
Police say Neelkanth, also known as Bhura, is the alleged leader of a criminal group known locally as the “Illegal Gang.” The gang reportedly has more than 50 young members, many of whom have the word “illegal” tattooed on their necks. Authorities claim the group has been active in the city since 2018.
Investigators said Neelkanth has around 31 criminal cases registered against him, including serious charges such as murder.
He was previously jailed for 18 months in connection with the killing of Surendra Kushwah, a vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha in the region, who was murdered on March 18, 2024. Neelkanth, the main accused in that case, had been released on bail about four months ago.
Police said the latest arrest was linked to an extortion case involving the kidnapping of a 26-year-old priest in the Eidgah Hills area of Bhopal.
According to investigators, members of the gang allegedly abducted the priest, assaulted him in a flat, and demanded ₹8 lakh from him. They also threatened to implicate him in a false rape case if he failed to pay.
Police said the gang allegedly forced the priest’s brother to transfer ₹50,000 online and pressured the family to arrange the remaining amount in instalments.
The priest reportedly managed to escape on March 11 and immediately approached police with his complaint. Acting on the information, officers tracked down Neelkanth and arrested him just before his wedding ceremony began.
Authorities said further investigation into the case is ongoing.
