A love story that was destined for an abrupt end with the abduction of the Australia-based bride, who eloped with her driver while on holiday in Kerala, has got a new start with the girl returning to live with the husband. On Thursday, Anooja Rosline and P G Baiju had an emotional reunion at the Kochi airport, after episodes of elopement, arrest, court cases, court marriage, abduction by supari gang and a spell of separation lasted a couple of months.

The affair between the girl and the driver had hit the headlines on May 21, when she was abducted by a gang, allegedly engaged by her family, from the youth’s relative house at Mundakkayam in Kottayam.

Mavelimattathil Shaji, a Melbourne-settled NRI from Pambadi in Kottayam, along with his wife Susan and daughter Anooja, had come for a two-month vacation early this year. Baiju, in his late thirties, was hired to drive the family during the holidays. Anooja, who had been a minor then, fell in love with the driver and eloped. Her parents moved the police and nabbed the lovers, after tracing their mobile phone calls. They were produced before a court, which allowed the family to take away Anooja, who had been a minor then.

A few days later, the duo ran away again and registered their marriage in a neighbouring district. This time too, police produced them before a court, but the family had to return empty-handed as the girl had by then turned 18. A crestfallen Shaji left for Australia in early May.

... contd.