Lifer Marries His Beloved In Jail

Marriage And Beyond

oi-Staff

By Staff

Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 14:52

It was a marriage with a difference. Gangster Dilip Nayak, languishing in Berhampur Circle Jail as a lifer in a murder case, married his beloved Bijayalaxmi Pradhan (26) inside the jail complex.

The marriage was solemnized yesterday amidst chanting of traditional mantras and yagna performed by Jail warden Ramesh Chandra Mishra assisted by another under trial prisoner Ashok Kumar Padhi.

Both were in love since last 13 years, when Bijayalaxmi, who is an orphan, was reading in class VIII and was staying at Baijhali village in front of the residence of the grandfather of Dilip, informed jail officials.

About 20 members of the groom including Sankarshan Nayak and Kumudini (father and mother of Dilip), Sanjivani (sister of Bijayalaxmi), jail inmates, officials, political leaders and journalists attended the marriage.

Sanjay Kumar Pradhan, an under trial prisoner, who is also the brother of Bijayalaxmi, performed the rituals of 'Kanyadan'. The menus of the marriage feast were fried rice, dal, cheese-curry, cauliflower fry and khir.

When Dilip returned to his cell in the Circle Jail after the marriage, Bijayalaxmi accompanied her in-laws to Ankuli Nua Sahi.

'I married Bijayalaxmi because I wanted to return to the mainstream ,' Dilip said.

'I loved Dilip since last 13 years and I am happy to marry him even though he is languishing behind the bars after being convicted for life in a murder case,' Bijayalaxmi told newsmen.