A police complaint was initiated against an Indian man and his family in the city of Aurangabad for reportedly demanding in dowry a tortoise with 21 toenails and a black Labrador.
Police said the man is an Indian Army soldier from Nashik. He and his family are accused of deceit and criminal breach of trust.
The bride-to-be’s family paid the soldier’s family Rs. 2 lakh in cash and 10 gram of gold as dowry prior to the engagement.
As per the reports, the bride-to-be’s family also alleged that the man and his family took Rs. 10 lakh guaranteeing her a permanent government post, something which she never received.
The uncommon reptile that is said to bring good fortune and wealth to the owner, sells for approximately Rs 5-10 lakh in the illegal market.
According to the Times of India, there was a conflict between the families after the girl’s father informed them that they cannot afford it.
The wedding was then called off, and the girl’s family demanded that the man’s family refund the money and jewels they had given.
“The bride’s family expressed helplessness to meet the demands, after which the groom’s family called off the marriage. The bride’s 55-year-old father approached us and we lodged an FIR under sections 420, 406 and 34 of IPC for criminal breach of trust and cheating against the groom and his family members. We may add more sections after investigation,” Sadhna Avhad, police sub-inspector investigating the case told The Indian Express.