Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Dec 9: A love affair that apparently failed was the talk of the town on Friday December 9, after the girl marched to the boy's house and sat in dharna demanding justice. The boy has gone missing even as the case came to light. Their parents who know nothing about their affair are worried and shedding tears.

Nineteen-year-old Soumya (name changed) is sitting in dharna in front of the house of 20-year-old Sachin at Moodubettu in Pandeshwar gram panchayat limits. Soumya and Sachin who have known each other for the last 3 years were in love without the knowledge of their families. Though there used to be disagreements between them sometimes, they used to sort out their issues amicably. The couple reportedly had sex in a lodge in Manipal on August 4.

As there were arguments between them later and Sachin was reluctant to commit himself to their relationship, Soumya had filed a complaint in Udupi women's police station. There were inquiries in the presence of their parents in the police station on the basis of the complaint and a registered marriage was discussed. Sachin did not meet Soumya after that incident, the latter said.

As there was no response from Sachin, Soumya sat in dharna outside his house, alleging that his parents had helped him abscond. She urged his parents to allow Sachin to speak to her as injustice had been done to her and she wanted to marry him.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Sachin's parents said that they came to know of the love affair only after the police called them to the station. "The girl has not agreed to the suggestion that the matter shoud be discussed in the presence of elders. We have no information about Sachin, and we have already given a verbal complaint in Kota police station about it. Meanwhile a friend of Sachin came home twice and took away Rs 15,000 saying that he would solve the problem. Soumya has said that she will let the matter go if Rs 20,000 is given to her through the lawyer. We are unable to arrange the money as we are facing financial problems. Soumya has sat on dharna to slander our name," they said.

Soumya said that she would continue her protest till Sachin is allowed to speak to her.