India, April 24 -- LUCKNOW A pre-wedding ceremony was called off in a Rae Bareli village around a week ago after the bride refused to marry the groom's brother who was allegedly substituted for the physically challenged original groom. Two brothers of the bride were allegedly beaten up and held captive for hours by the groom's kin when they refused to go ahead with the 'tilak' ceremony, said police.

The woman's elder brother, Rajan Tiwari, lodged a complaint with Jagatpur police station, accusing the groom, his brother and father of accepting Rs.50,000 cash and other items worth Rs.50,000 while fixing the marriage and snatching Rs.2 lakh when further marriage proceedings were stopped.

The complainant said he and his younger brother Raje...