A 22-year-old groom was found dead under mysterious circumstances just hours before his wedding procession was set to depart in India, leaving his family and community in shock.
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The incident occurred in the Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh, where the deceased, identified as Devendra Maurya, was discovered hanging from a mango tree in a local market early Sunday morning.
According to family members, wedding celebrations had continued late into the night, with relatives and guests participating in festivities until around 2am. The groom reportedly went to sleep alongside family members, but by morning, panic spread after locals informed them that his body had been found hanging from a tree.
Relatives who rushed to the scene raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding his death. They claimed that the body was tied at a height of approximately six feet, yet his feet were touching the ground and bent — a detail that has led them to suspect foul play.
The groom’s hands were still decorated with henna, and the clothes prepared for the wedding remained untouched at home. His father stated that Devendra had no known disputes and strongly rejected the possibility of suicide, alleging that his son may have been killed and the scene staged to resemble self-harm.
Eyewitnesses also questioned the nature of the incident, pointing to the unusual positioning of the body as inconsistent with suicide.
Police and forensic teams arrived at the site shortly after receiving the report and collected evidence. The body has been taken into custody and sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
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Authorities said the case is being investigated from all angles, adding that conclusions will be drawn after forensic findings are completed.