Lucknow: What began as a relationship that reportedly started on Instagram took a disturbing turn in Hardoi, where a 37-year-old man was allegedly subjected to public humiliation after being taken to the village home of a woman he claimed to have married.His head was partially shaved, his moustache cut and a garland of footwear allegedly put around his neck. A video of the incident later surfaced on social media, prompting police action. Police have now registered a case against the woman, her second husband and an unidentified person based on the victim’s complaint.The incident reportedly took place in Khurrampurwa village under Harpalpur police station. According to the complaint, the man was allegedly taken to the house of the woman’s second husband, where he was held for several hours and subjected to humiliation.The accused woman, identified as Soni (34), has nine children from her previous marriages, according to the complaint. Victim, Narendra (37), a resident of Kishni in Mainpuri, claimed that he had married Soni after their relationship developed through Instagram.Police said the case was registered on Tuesday on the basis of Narendra’s complaint and the video that surfaced on social media.According to Narendra’s statement, he and Soni first came in contact through Instagram. After communicating for around eight days, Soni travelled to Gaurighat in Kannauj to meet him. From there, the two reportedly went to Gurugram and married at a temple about two days later.Narendra claimed that despite opposition from their families, he remained with Soni for around two-and-a-half years. He told police that he did not know the details of Soni’s first marriage. According to his account, she had three children from her first marriage. After that relationship ended, she married Munna Yadav, a resident of Khurrampurwa. The couple reportedly had six children—three sons and three daughters.Narendra told police that Soni fell ill in July 2026 and, at her request, he dropped her at Gaurighat. She subsequently stayed there. He claimed that during this period, the two met several times at a hotel in Gursahaiganj. He also alleged that Soni took around Rs 40,000 from him on different occasions.On Sept 25, Narendra travelled from Bahadurgarh to Gursahaiganj to meet Soni. During their meeting, he allegedly checked her mobile phone and found conversations with another man. This reportedly led to an argument between the two. Narendra further claimed that a dispute also arose over an alleged pregnancy and miscarriage. According to his complaint, he slapped Soni during the argument.Narendra alleged that Soni became angry after the incident and took him to Khurrampurwa. He claimed that she introduced him at the house of her second husband, Munna Yadav, as a relative.According to Narendra, Munna later came to know about the relationship between him and Soni, following which a confrontation took place. Narendra has alleged that Soni and Munna then restrained him. He was allegedly subjected to humiliation, with part of his head shaved using a razor and scissors and his moustache cut.He further alleged that he was kept confined for hours and made to wear a garland made of footwear. The incident was recorded on video, and the footage later surfaced on social media.Harpalpur CO Praveen Kumar said the police became aware of the incident after the video surfaced and subsequently received the victim’s complaint.
