Guna (Madhya Pradesh): A bride was kidnapped in broad daylight from National Highway (NH) 46 near Ruthiyal in Guna district on Sunday, while her groom was beaten during the attack. Police have launched an intensive search operation after the newly-married woman made statements during kidnapping, suggesting she knew at least one of her kidnappers.

According to reports, Vikram Nayak, a resident of Sawal Madhopur in Rajasthan had married a woman from Ashoknagar the previous day. Following completion of wedding rituals on Saturday night, the couple departed from Ashoknagar around 9:30 am, travelling in a car with the bride's grandmother, aunt and their driver.

Vikram later told police that he noticed suspicious vehicles following them from Ashoknagar itself. The pursuers first attempted to intercept their car in Gader area, but the driver managed to evade them, However, around 10:30 am near Ruthlyal, the kidnappers blocked their vehicle using an SUV and positioned a bike behind them to prevent escape.

Approximately seven to eight men emerged from the SUV, armed with knives which they used to smash car windows. They dragged Vikram out of the vehicle and assaulted him before forcibly removing the bride and compelling her to enter their vehicle. Before fleeing, the kidnappers punctured the car's tyres to prevent pursuit.

In a significant detail that could aid investigation, Vikram reported hearing the bride plead with one of the attackers saying, 'Akash, don't hurt him', suggesting she recognised at least one kidnapper. Ruthiyai police were immediately alerted and officers quickly arrived at the scene. SDOP Deepa Dudwe of Raghogarh confirmed that the bride is from Ratikheda village in Ashoknagar.

Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the highway and surrounding areas as part of their search efforts. In a development, police have located the vehicle used in the kidnapping, though both the kidnappers and the bride were no longer inside. Authorities are continuing their search operation across multiple districts while examining potential motives behind the abduction.