PRAYAGRAJ, July 14 -- What began as a government-sponsored mass wedding in Kaushambi ended at a police station after a 16-year-old boy allegedly stood in as the groom when the 19-year-old bride's actual fiance failed to arrive. Police said the alleged fraud came to light during biometric verification at a mass marriage ceremony held at a guest house in Sayara on Sunday after the fingerprints failed to match the Aadhaar details. Three people have been booked for allegedly attempting to fraudulently claim benefits under the Chief Minister Mass Marriage Scheme, police confirmed. Police alleged that the woman, her mother and another man persuaded the minor to pose as the groom by offering him half of the financial assistance available under the scheme. The CM Mass Marriage Scheme, also known as Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, is a state welfare programme that supports the marriages of daughters from economically weaker families. From the 2025-26 financial year, assistance under the scheme was increased to Rs.1 lakh per couple, including Rs.60,000 transferred to the bride's bank account, household goods worth Rs.25,000 and Rs.15,000 towards ceremony expenses. According to police, Nagma Bano, of Saini village, was scheduled to marry Vaish, a resident of Rae Bareli district, on March 17, 2027. Her family had already applied for benefits under the scheme. However, when Vaish did not reach the venue on Sunday, Nagma's mother, Quresha Bano, allegedly convinced a 16-year-old boy from the same village, belonging to another community, to take his place in return for half of the scheme's benefits. The boy's family reached the venue after learning about the incident and allegedly assaulted him, following which police intervened. Both sides were taken to Saini police station. On the complaint of the minor's elder brother, Shivam Valmiki, police registered an FIR against Nagma, Quresha and one Amarjeet Maurya of Faridganj under Kada Dham police station limits under sections related to cheating and impersonation. The marriage registration under the scheme has also been cancelled, making the couple ineligible for financial assistance. In his complaint, Shivam alleged that Quresha took his younger brother to the venue on the pretext of helping with the event. He further alleged that Amarjeet handed the boy Vaish's Aadhaar card and asked him to pose as Vaish alongside Nagma for photographs. Deputy superintendent of police (Sirathu) Satyendra Tiwari said an FIR had been registered on the complaint of the minor's brother. He said the investigating officer had been directed to conduct a fair investigation and take action against those found guilty....