Nagpur: In a dramatic late-night incident, a 23-year-old man allegedly set fire to a wedding pandal outside his former girlfriend’s house in Nagpur’s Mankapur area after her family refused their relationship and fixed her marriage with another man.

The accused, identified as Simon Ronny Ambro (23), a resident of Martin Nagar in Jaripatka, has been booked under charges of arson and other relevant sections. Police took him into custody for 24 hours following the incident.

According to police, Simon and the woman were previously acquainted while he lived in the Mankapur area. Their friendship later developed into a relationship. However, her family opposed the match and arranged her marriage with another man from Gondia district.

The incident occurred around 10 pm on Tuesday, when the haldi ceremony was underway at a mandap set up outside the woman's residence. Police said Simon arrived at the venue, allegedly abused the woman and her relatives, and then threw a petrol bomb at the pandal, setting it ablaze. Panic spread in the area as flames engulfed the structure, though no injuries were reported.

Following the complaint filed by the woman's father, Mankapur police registered a case and launched a search operation. The accused was soon detained.

Officials said Simon was kept in custody until the wedding was conducted peacefully on Wednesday, preventing any further disruption.