Fiancée in Pati flees before wedding, found in Jepara hotel with another man

A fiancée from Tlogowungu, Pati Regency, who fled with another man ahead of her akad nikah, was found at a hotel in Jepara Regency on Saturday morning (23 May). The couple were escorted by police and are being questioned for clarification on the incident.

NAS, 19, from Tlogowungu, and DF, 18, both wearing black T-shirts, were seen with troubled expressions as officers from the Pati City Police questioned them.

NAS reportedly surrendered only when officers knocked on the door after they were found at the Jepara hotel, following days of search triggered by a report from NAS’s family that the daughter had gone missing a few hours before the ceremony with Salim, a 33-year-old man from the same district, who had proposed to NAS.

According to AKP Mujahid, head of Telogowungu Police, the search began at the couple’s bridal room location, then extended to other locations, eventually leading to Jepara. After coordinating with Jepara Police, both were located in a hotel.

Outside the hotel, police found a motorbike belonging to DF, which is believed to have been used to flee from the wedding; inside a hotel room, the two were found. ‘When the door was knocked, the woman opened it while the man was still asleep and woke when officers entered,’ Mujahid said.

NAS’s parents said the matter began months earlier when their daughter received an engagement proposal from Salim, a man from the same village. The couple had become engaged and families had discussed the wedding, with administrative steps arranged with the local KUA and a date set.

‘My daughter NAS even yesterday before the wedding had been told by the groom’s family that they were ready to marry Salim,’ said a relative who did not wish to be named.

The family had prepared wedding arrangements, including KUA administrative work and the date, but at around 03:00 local time the bride-to-be disappeared, leaving the family and neighbours in shock. A neighbour, Ani, said the groom’s family had come to carry out the ceremony and were surprised to find the fiancée missing; the dowry had already been prepared.

‘The fiancée ran away with a man from a neighbouring village; they had become acquainted during the engagement process,’ Ani added.

Police are continuing investigations; no further details were provided at this time.