Estranged couple reunites

COIMBATORE: Nearly 18 months after two love-struck college students had secretly married, it was time for an ‘evidence-packed’ action replay on Wednesday as they became man and wife, after a brief estrangement, at the Coimbatore District Legal Services Authority. The only difference was that this time, the ‘bride’ was carrying a baby in her arms.Dinesh and Gayathri (names changed) had married at a city temple in late June 2010, with a few classmates around.  Amid family opposition, they began their lives in Madurai. Soon, their love turned bitter and a pregnant Gayathri returned to her natal home in Coimbatore where she delivered a girl.“She petitioned the Collector for help, who forwarded it to us. We convinced Dinesh to accept her again. But when we studied the case, we found that there was no legally admissible evidence of their past marriage. To secure her future, we decided to solemnise their marriage today in our presence so that it can be registered,” said District Legal Services Authority Secretary G Mahizhenthi.