‘Serial Bride’ Arrested in UP Revealed to be HIV Positive, Triggers Health Scare

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh police have arrested a woman dubbed as a ‘serial bride’ who allegedly deceived multiple men into marriage across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, only to abscond with their money and valuables. The arrest, however, uncovered a deeper concern as the woman was diagnosed as HIV positive during a medical examination at the district hospital.

The woman, in her twenties, was part of a gang specializing in orchestrating fraudulent marriages. Her modus operandi involved marrying unsuspecting men and disappearing with their assets, aided by accomplices posing as her relatives. 

7 members of the ‘serial bride’ gang detained 

Authorities across both states detained seven members of the gang, including the woman and her mother, following several reported cases.

Following her arrest and medical examination in Muzaffarnagar jail, Superintendent Sitaram Sharma confirmed her HIV-positive status. She has since begun antiretroviral therapy (ART) while incarcerated. Initial disclosures from the woman indicated involvement in five marriages, including three in Uttarakhand, although police suspect additional unreported cases.

Health departments tracing individuals who had physical contact with the ‘serial bride’

The revelation has prompted urgent efforts by health departments in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to trace individuals who had physical contact with the woman. In Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district, health officials, in collaboration with an NGO, have already confirmed three men as HIV positive after tests. These individuals have begun treatment at an ART center, with efforts ongoing to test and support their family members.

Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Chief Medical Officer of US Nagar, confirmed the identification of the woman and her mother from the district, noting that their contacts are now undergoing necessary medical care. The situation has underscored the importance of public health measures and vigilance in addressing the repercussions of such fraudulent activities.