Rajasthan Wedding Turns Sour Over ‘Shoe-Hiding’ Ritual; Bride Files FIR After Groom’s Sisters Demand ₹11,000

Sikar, Rajasthan: A wedding in Sikar district took an unexpected turn when a lighthearted ritual escalated into a financial dispute, leading to the bride refusing to marry and filing a police complaint. The controversy arose during the traditional “joota chhupai” (shoe-hiding) ceremony, where the groom’s sisters demanded ₹11,000 in exchange for returning his shoes.

Minor Ritual Sparks Major Conflict
Both families had collectively spent around ₹30–40 lakh on the wedding. With all rituals completed, including the pheras, the preparations for the bride’s departure were underway. During the shoe-hiding ceremony, the groom’s sisters set their unusual demand. Initially, the groom’s side treated it as a joke and offered a smaller sum, but the sisters insisted on their full demand. The lighthearted moment quickly escalated into a serious conflict, creating tension between the families.

Groom Raises Stakes
In response to the sisters’ insistence, the groom reportedly made a counter-demand of ₹5 lakh in cash and a motorcycle. He warned that if his demands were not met, he would take the wedding procession back without the bride. The bride’s family was taken aback by the sudden escalation, heightening the dispute.

Bride Calls Off the Wedding
Attempts by relatives and elders to mediate failed. Ultimately, the bride refused to comply, considering the groom’s demands equivalent to dowry, and decided to call off the wedding. The dispute quickly reached the local police station, with the bride’s family filing a complaint of dowry harassment against the groom and his family. Simultaneously, the groom’s father filed a counter-complaint, alleging that their procession was forcibly stopped and they were mistreated.

Police Mediation Fails
Authorities tried to resolve the matter through counseling, but bitterness between the families prevented reconciliation. The wedding procession returned without the bride, leaving the event as a cautionary tale. Observers noted that traditions like joota chhupai are meant to bring joy and foster bonds, not become a source of ego clashes and conflict.