Indore, August 30, 2025: Shraddha, a final-year BBA student from Indore, returned home a week after going missing, claiming she married an electrician she met on a train to Ratlam. The unusual sequence of events has caught the attention of police and the media, drawing parallels to the 2007 Bollywood film Jab We Met.

Shraddha initially planned to elope with her boyfriend, Sarthak. However, when he failed to meet her at the railway station, she boarded a train to Ratlam, where she encountered Karandeep, an electrician working at a college in Indore. She stated that the two connected during the journey and decided to marry.

According to Shraddha, the couple first traveled to Mandsaur and then to Maheshwar, approximately 250 kilometers away, where they tied the knot at a temple. Following this, they visited Sanwariya Seth before Shraddha returned to Indore and reported to the local police station.

The police have expressed skepticism regarding Shraddha’s account, requesting the presentation of a marriage certificate to verify the claim. Meanwhile, Sarthak confirmed he had not been in touch with Shraddha for several days, raising questions about the initial elopement plan.

Shraddha’s father, Anil Tiwari, expressed shock and concern over her claims. Despite sending her money to return home, she reportedly chose to remain with Karandeep. Tiwari also raised doubts about Shraddha’s mental well-being, noting that Karandeep allegedly saved her from a suicide attempt at the railway station.

The family employed several measures to locate Shraddha during her disappearance, including offering a reward of Rs 51,000 and using superstitious practices, such as hanging her photo upside down, which they believe contributed to her return. CCTV footage showed Shraddha leaving her home at around 2 a.m. on August 23 without a mobile phone, complicating search efforts.

Anil Tiwari emphasized that Shraddha is an adult and that her family would have to respect her decisions, regardless of their concerns about her safety and mental health. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to verify the marriage and understand the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and alleged wedding.

This incident has sparked widespread discussion about young adults’ autonomy, mental health, and the challenges of elopement in India. It also highlights the difficulties faced by families in tracking and safeguarding loved ones in sudden and complex situations.

Shraddha’s unexpected journey, from planning to elope with her original boyfriend to reportedly marrying a new partner she met on a train, has left her family, police, and community grappling with questions about her intentions, safety, and well-being. The case continues to unfold as authorities investigate and the family considers its next steps.