This seemingly bizarre wedding deal is, according to would-be groom Amar Verma, actually an act of humanity! "When my father sent a marriage proposal for Ragini, her father put forward a precondition: he said he would agree to my marrying Ragini only if I also agreed to marry her elder sister Preeti, who happens to be physically challenged," said Amar. "The girls’ father, Sohan Lal Verma, is a retired schoolteacher in Jalaun district and he, it seems, is concerned about Preeti’s future after he was no more and hence this precondition."

The groom-to-be said though his own family was initially shocked at this "double deal" proposal, after a lot of discussion everyone agreed. "We viewed the situation from a humanitarian point of view. Preeti is confined to the wheelchair and it would be difficult for her to fend for herself alone. Besides, if the two sisters lived together after marriage, there would be no adjustment problems either, and so we agreed," says the groom’s father Ram Swarup Verma.

After the proposal was accepted, Amar met the two sisters individually and spoke to them at length about the modalities of this unique marriage. "Yes, I have spoken to both Preeti (who is 21) and Ragini (18), and have even developed a liking for both. I am confident that there will be no problems later on," he says with a smile.

Amar’s family members are, however, a little concerned over the fact that his Rs 2,500 monthly salary may not allow him to have a comfortable life with two wives to support. "But we will manage, perhaps with some help from the girl’s family. And then you never know, the wedding may just change Amar’s fortunes and he may land a better-paying job," says the groom’s mother Malti Verma.

The Verma family has already started preparing for this unique wedding which will take place next month in Jalaun. "The baraat will go to Jalaun for the wedding and we will have a tiny party in Lucknow because we cannot afford a big reception," says Amar in a matter-of-fact tone.

The brides, meanwhile, are ecstatic. "We are sisters and we will remain sisters all our lives — even after the wedding," an excited Ragini told The Asian Age over the telephone, while Preeti said: "I never imagined that I could ever get married, but he (Amar) has made my dream come true."

The news of this unusual wedding deal, which was first published in a local daily, has, however, set off a legal controversy in the state capital. Legal experts feel that despite marrying two girls simultaneously, Amar cannot be charged with bigamy under Section 494. "It would be difficult to prove which of the two is actually the second marriage since the girls are being married simultaneously. Hence, the court cannot nullify the second marriage. Besides, there is no aggrieved party in this case because both sisters have consented to the marriage," says a leading lawyer.