CCTV footage from the same day showed Kumkum travelling alone in an e-rickshaw, yet police initiated raids on Arjun's home.
His family alleged that the police harassed them, damaged household belongings, and sided with Kumkum's family despite a lack of evidence.
A heated confrontation between Arjun and the girl's father took place on May 6. That night, officers allegedly entered their home again and continued the harassment. Though Arjun presented proof of his location on May 2, he feared arrest and custodial abuse. He was found hanging from a tree on May 7.
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Kumkum returned home days later and told police she had left willingly with Mohit Kumar, a man from a nearby village. The two had married and were living in Gujarat. In court, she confirmed Arjun had no role in her disappearance.
Four members of Kumkum's family, including her father, have been charged, with her father arrested for abetment of suicide. Authorities stated that the allegations against police are under review.
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Online, the case has ignited strong reactions, with many blaming the system for the trivialisation of male lives, wrongful criminalisation, and turning men's struggles into a joke. Social media users are demanding justice and systemic change to address such incidents.