The Dharmasala police took action to detain a groom on the brink of entering into a second marriage, following a complaint from his first wife.
This incident transpired at the Trinath Temple in Jaraka, which is situated in Jajpur district, Odisha. The groom, Bibhudendu Padhi, hails from Pattamundai in Kendrapada district and was about to exchange vows with another woman when his first wife, Suchismita Panda, along with family members, made a sudden appearance to stop the ceremony. The police promptly intervened and took Bibhudendu to the local police station for questioning and detention.
Suchismita, who lives in the Hi-Tech area of Bhubaneswar, shared that she and Bibhudendu were married through traditional Hindu ceremonies on November 24, 2017, and they have an eight-year-old daughter together. She stated that their marriage has faced challenges over the last two years, primarily due to Bibhudendu’s purported extramarital relationship with a long-time girlfriend. She also mentioned that divorce proceedings are currently ongoing in court.
Upon learning of her husband’s intention to remarry without finalizing their divorce, Suchismita rushed to the Dharmasala police. In May 2025, she had previously lodged a formal complaint at the Mahila Police Station in Bhubaneswar regarding the alleged affair, which has led to a chargesheet being filed. Additionally, she claimed her husband’s family consistently disregarded required police counseling sessions.
“I want stringent action against my husband for ruining my life,” Suchismita stated fervently. “We are not divorced yet, but he decided to marry his longtime girlfriend without following the legal procedure. I demand justice for myself and my daughter.”
Alongside the bigamy claims, Suchismita has raised serious allegations of deceit surrounding their marriage. She accused Bibhudendu’s family of misrepresenting his professional qualifications, falsely claiming he was a chartered accountant when he had not passed his final exams.
She also alleged that her in-laws had demanded dowry. Despite her father’s modest income as a priest, he allegedly provided substantial gold ornaments, including chains, rings, and a bracelet, to satisfy their requests.
Authorities have indicated that these additional allegations are still subject to verification, and no comments from Bibhudendu’s representatives were available at the time of reporting. The Dharmasala police are conducting a thorough investigation into the situation, with further updates expected regarding the ongoing matrimonial case and the events leading to the halted wedding.
