Wedding party goes into mourning

The Guptas were in the mood to celebrate. There was a wedding in the family on Monday and the family was busy with last minute preparations.

The Guptas were in the mood to celebrate. There was a wedding in the family on Monday and the family was busy with last minute preparations.

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Until they received the news of the death of two family members in the train derailment in West Bengal on Friday.

Prema Gupta (45) and Harekrishna Gupta (23), who were coming to the city to attend the wedding, died in the accident, which is suspected to be the handiwork of Maoists.

Jairam Gupta (30), Harekrishna’s brother, reached Kurla terminus on Friday morning, soon after he heard about the incident. His relatives from Howrah, his native place, had called to inform him. Prema is Jairam’s sister’s mother-in-law.

“Every one was waiting for their arrival, so that we could celebrate the wedding with greater enthusiasm,” said Gupta, who was trying hard to maintain his composure while he organised air tickets to fly to Kolkata and get to the accident spot. But tears flowed down his cheeks as he spoke.

Family members said they had last spoken to Prema and Harekrishna before they boarded the train at Howrah at 9.30 pm on Thursday. “I don’t know who is behind the incident. But whoever it is should die a million deaths for such a heinous crime” said Surendra Pathak, a friend of Guptas.

The mood at the Guptas’ Antop Hill home in Wadala was in stark contrast with the festive look the house wore until Thursday night.

Relatives and friends poured in to offer condolences.

Several relatives and friends, who had come for the pre-wedding rituals, ended up mourning. Relatives said the wedding may be postponed.