Dramatic scenes unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut as a groom chased a man who had allegedly snatched a currency note from his garland and fled the spot. The chase looked like a scene straight out of a Bollywood movie, leaving onlookers staring at the groom, who was chasing the thief in his wedding attire.
The incident reportedly took place on a highway when the groom was headed to a temple after the 'ghudchadhi' ritual [when a groom rides on a horse before the wedding]. The alleged thief was driving a pickup truck and had reportedly snatched a note from the groom's cash garland.
However, according to various media reports, the driver of the mini-truck had tore the entire money garland off the groom's neck and drove off, without realising that the groom would actually not let this pass and instead chase him to get back his garland.
The entire incident was caught on camera and the video is now doing rounds on social media, showing the groom dressed up in a grey suit and red turban. He can be seen hanging from the moving mini-truck, trying to get the driver to stop the vehicle. When the driver doesn't stop the truck, the groom enters the vehicle from the window. He then takes control from inside and stops the truck, forcing the driver to come out.
Another man who seemed like the groom's relative was driving a bike beside the truck also stops and gets down as other relatives from the wedding ceremony arrive at the spot. Thereafter, the enraged groom and his relatives thrashed the driver, taking him for the accused.
The video, prominently featuring a building with "Namaste Meerut" painted on it, has gone viral on social media, with some praising him for his "bravery" while others calling it a "foolish act" which could have gotten him "seriously hurt".
However, the owner of the vehicle, Manish Sehgal, told Times of India that the garland story is fabricated. "We've filed a police complaint and would pursue the matter. My driver, Jagpal Singh, is innocent".
The owner also claimed that the driver Singh was unaware of the commotion behind him and that the groom accused the truck of brushing against him on the road, which eventually led to the dramatic chase.
"We have reported the incident to the police and plan to take legal action against the attackers," Sehgal said.
Meanwhile, SHO Dilip Bisht said: "The matter came to our notice on Monday. Both parties were called to the police station and after a brief talk, they left. No FIR has been lodged so far. Following further investigation, we'll take action".
The Meerut Police quickly responded to the viral video, stating, “Partapur Police Station has been directed to take action."
The groom's chase went viral on the internet, leading to several reactions from netizens. One person called him "Best Groom Award goes to Dev Kumar," while another said, "One video. 10 Indian version of Tom Cruises. Hollywood should learn a lesson or two."
"NSG commando??," "Dhoom 4", "UP James Bond", and "Money Heist India" some other fun comments read.
"Cash mala was important than Varmala. Shaadi waadi hoti rahegi," another netizen commented.