Nagpur: In a dramatic turn of events, a young woman pursuing her postgraduate studies eloped with a scrap dealer who had failed fifth grade, setting up a life in a small village near Delhi. After a two-month-long search, Wathoda police traced the couple and brought them back to Nagpur. While the woman was reunited with her parents, the police took legal action against the scrap dealer.

The woman, the only daughter of a transporter from Wathoda, met Irfan (22), a scrap dealer from Sakkardara, when he frequently visited their locality for business. Since the transporter knew Irfan, he often came to their house to purchase scrap. A casual conversation between Irfan and the woman soon turned into frequent meetings, eventually leading to a romantic relationship.

The woman even took money from her father to buy gifts for Irfan. Instead of meeting in their locality, the couple started spending time at Futala and Ambazari lakes.

Two months ago, the couple decided to marry and eloped to Delhi by train. They struggled to find jobs and soon ran out of money. Eventually, they settled in Deori village, renting a small room. Irfan resumed his scrap-dealing business, while the woman took up odd jobs to make ends meet.

Desperate to find his daughter, the transporter lodged a missing complaint, prompting Wathoda police, led by Senior Inspector Harish Borade, to launch a search operation. A special team, including PSI Sachin Thakre, ASI Natthuji Dhoble, and woman constable Sangita Taware, tracked the woman’s whereabouts using technical surveillance.

With assistance from Delhi police, officers apprehended Irfan while he was purchasing scrap. Initially, he denied knowing the woman, but under pressure, he led them to their rented room. The couple was brought back to Nagpur, where the woman was reunited with her family, and legal action was taken against Irfan.

The incident has sparked discussions in the city, highlighting the lengths to which some individuals go for love and the challenges faced by families in such cases.