VILLUPURAM: Visitors to the integrated court complex here were in for a surprise on Wednesday as wedding bells replaced the usual buzz of police and lawyers at the premises. District Principal Judge R Krishnamoorthy himself presided over the marriage ceremony of a couple who were separated by their opposing families.
According to a source, Sakthivel (22), a labourer from Karundhalakuruchi hamlet near Kallakuruchi, and Kalaiselvi (20) from the same area, eloped and married each other on February 7. When the couple returned to their village the next day, Sakthivel’s family refused to accept Kalaiselvi and did not allow her to enter the house. Following his family’s disapproval, Sakthivel stopped talking to his wife.
On February 15, a distraught Kalaiselvi consumed poison and was admitted to the hospital. She also lodged a complaint against Sakthivel and his family at the Kallauruchi All Women Police Station, based on which he was arrested and remanded. A case was filed against
Sakthivel and his parents who applied for bail at the Villupuram district primary court a few weeks before the case was to come up for hearing before judge R Krishnamoorthy.
After an inquiry, the judge called the couple and their families for a discussion and advised them to accept the marriage. Following the approval of both families, the wedding was solemnised at the Theradi Vinayagar temple at the entrance of the court complex on Wednesday afternoon.
Judge Krishnamoorthy personally sponsored several household items for the couple while human rights activists presented the bride with jewellery.
Villupuram Chief Judicial Magistrate M Vettriselvi, government pleader P Siva and several police and court officials attended the wedding.