A 32-year-old man from Zhejiang province, identified only by his surname Gu, is embroiled in a complex legal battle just over a week after his wedding. Gu is seeking a divorce from his wife and demanding a refund from the matchmaking agency that facilitated the union, which cost his family approximately ₹37 lakh (265,000 yuan).
A Whirlwind Romance: Five Minutes to Marriage
Gu's journey to matrimony began under pressure from his parents to settle down. He registered with a local matchmaking center, initially paying 200 yuan (around ₹2,700). After several unsuccessful local introductions, the agency proposed women from other provinces, promising a swift marriage.
In April, Gu was introduced to a 30-year-old woman from Shaanxi province. Despite the monumental decision, their only direct interaction before marriage was a brief five-minute video call. During this call, Gu reportedly inquired about her job and family, with the matchmaker answering most questions. The agency assured Gu's family that the woman had no debts, criminal record, or serious illnesses and was open to a "flash marriage."
Nearly ₹37 Lakh Spent on a Nine-Day Union
Trusting the agency's assurances, Gu and his family proceeded with the marriage, never having met the woman in person. The wedding expenses totaled 265,000 yuan (approximately ₹36.8 lakh). This sum included a 100,000-yuan bride price (around ₹13.9 lakh) and a substantial 160,000-yuan matchmaking fee (around ₹22.2 lakh). Just three days after their initial video call, the couple officially registered their marriage.
Concerns Emerge Post-Wedding
Problems surfaced quickly after the wedding. The promised credit history and premarital medical examination reports from the matchmaking center were never provided. Gu later took his wife to a bank, where he discovered she had approximately 100,000 yuan (around ₹13.9 lakh) in debt. She claimed the debt belonged to a former boyfriend.
Further concerns arose when Gu noticed that the name linked to her mobile payment account, which requires real-name verification, differed from the name he knew. The following day, she also informed him of high liver enzyme levels, though she stated it wouldn't affect her fertility.
Legal Disputes Ensue
Just nine days after registering the marriage, Gu decided to seek a divorce, expressing regret for making such a significant decision without truly knowing his partner. While his wife initially agreed, she later changed her mind, filing a counter-suit against him. She claimed his divorce request had negatively impacted her mental health, submitting a diagnosis of depression, and sought 50,000 yuan (around ₹6.9 lakh) in compensation.
Gu has also filed a complaint against the matchmaking agency, demanding a refund of the 160,000-yuan fee. The agency has refused, arguing that it fulfilled its obligation by introducing a partner and that the couple legally married. The matchmaker even suggested that Gu and his wife might be attempting a fake divorce to reclaim the payment.