Bhawanipatna: A bride eloped with a person before the wedding ceremony at Malpada village under Jaipatna police limits in Odisha's Kalahandi district, last night.

Shockingly, the family members of the bride then decided to get her minor sister married to the groom.

However, the Jaipatna CDPO and local police, on being informed about the incident, reached the village and rescued the 15-year-old girl from groom's village Tentulikhunti. The girl was handed over to her family members.

"The girl can either stay at her house or at hostel if she wishes so. She will be allowed to stay with her husband at her in-laws' place after she attains 18 years of age," an official said.