Woman changes cousin sister’s gender to marry her:Takes ₹8 lakh loan to turn ‘Rakhi’ into ‘Rahul’; couple goes missing after family objects

A wedding in Bihar’s Jamui district has become the subject of widespread discussion after a government school teacher married her paternal cousin following a gender transition. Nayanashree Kumari, who was selected as a teacher through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), married her cousin Rakhi Kumari, who now goes by the name Rahul after undergoing gender transition. Residents have alleged that Nayanashree took a loan of Rs 8 lakh to finance the procedure. After photographs and videos of the wedding surfaced, tensions reportedly emerged between the two families. As opposition to the marriage grew, the newlyweds left their homes. Their whereabouts are currently unknown. The case, from Laxmipur in Jamui district, has sparked debate across Bihar. Questions surrounding how two cousins who studied and lived together since childhood developed a romantic relationship, how the decision for gender transition was taken, and how their families reacted after the wedding have all drawn public attention. Wedding held at Pateshwar Nath Temple Nayanashree (22) and Rahul (24) were married on May 31, 2026, at Pateshwar Nath Temple in Lakshmipur. Only a small number of people attended the ceremony. After exchanging garlands and completing Hindu wedding rituals, the two accepted each other as life partners. Following the ceremony, they travelled to Rahul’s village, where additional rituals were performed in accordance with Hindu traditions. Rahul’s mother, Sushila Devi, said she learned about the marriage later through a phone call. She said both had remained in contact for several years because of their studies, but the family had no knowledge of their relationship. If they had been a boy and a girl, perhaps we would have paid more attention. We thought they were simply close friends. Since they were cousins and had grown up together, nobody suspected anything. She added that both are adults and had married of their own free will and no pressure from either family has come to light. We considered it a good friendship. Who are Nayanashree and Rahul? Rahul, formerly known as Rakhi Kumari, and Nayanashree Kumari are paternal cousins who have known each other since childhood. Nayanashree’s aunt and Rahul’s father are siblings, and both frequently visited each other’s homes while growing up. Nayanashree’s father works as a Class IV employee in the Secretariat in Patna, while Rahul’s father is employed in the private sector. Both families come from modest backgrounds. In 2019, the two completed their matriculation examinations together. They later attended the same coaching institute during Classes 11 and 12. According to people familiar with the family, this was when their relationship began to develop. The pair later insisted on pursuing higher education at the same institution and lived together in the same hostel room. Whether it was attending classes, coaching sessions, shopping or other daily activities, they were almost always together. Relationship deepened while studying in Patna In 2023, Nayanashree and Rakhi decided to move to Patna to prepare for the BPSC examination. As relations between the two families were cordial, both were allowed to live and study together in the city. In 2025, Nayanashree successfully cleared the BPSC examination and was selected under the TRE-3 teacher recruitment process. She subsequently joined government service and is currently posted at Mednipur Primary School in Laxmipur. Gender transition allegedly funded through Rs 8 lakh loan Ward member Rajesh Kumar claimed that Rakhi completed the gender transition process around six months ago. According to him, Nayanashree obtained a bank loan of approximately Rs 8 lakh in her own name to fund the procedure. Rajesh alleged that Nayanashree believed transitioning herself could potentially create complications for her government job. For that reason, she encouraged Rakhi to undergo the procedure instead. He further claimed that Rakhi underwent surgery at AIIMS Delhi without informing family members. After spending nearly a month in hospital, Rahul returned home. According to Rajesh, it was then that family members learned about the gender transition. Opposition after marriage, couple leave home Rahul’s elder sister, Renu Devi, said Nayanashree’s parents arrived at their home on Sunday night and strongly objected to the marriage. She said, they were not willing to accept the marriage. During the argument, they created a commotion and even tried to damage the gate of our house. She said family members managed to help the couple leave through the back entrance. At present, we do not know where they are. Both their phones are switched off. ‘She left home saying she was going to buy a mobile phone’ Renu Kumari said the family had no prior information about the wedding. According to her, on the morning of May 31, Rahul left home saying a mobile phone needed to be purchased. Later, family members were informed that the marriage had already taken place at the temple. Nobody informed us beforehand. We only learned what had happened when they returned home after the wedding. We knew nothing about the date, planning or preparations. Neighbours describe Nayanashree as quiet and reserved Neighbour Sujit Kumar said Nayanashree had always been known for her simple and reserved personality. We belong to the same village and our houses are nearby. She was never someone who sought attention or mixed extensively with people. He said she preferred a modest lifestyle and showed little interest in fashion or social media. Even when she went to the market, she remained very simple. Unlike many young people today, she stayed away from social media trends and was mostly seen with Rakhi. Sujit also described Nayanashree’s family as humble and respected within the village. Her father is a simple and friendly person. He has never been involved in any dispute in the village. Police: Both are adults and free to make their own decisions Villagers informed Dial 112 after the dispute broke out, and police personnel reached the scene. However, police officials said no formal complaint has been filed by either side. According to police, both individuals are adults and legally entitled to make their own decisions. No application has been received. If any complaint is submitted, action will be taken according to the law. What does the law say? Under current Indian law, marriages between two women do not have legal recognition. Laws such as the Hindu Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act recognise marriage only between a man and a woman. In 2023, the Supreme Court declined to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. However, in the landmark Navtej Singh Johar judgment of 2018, the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality. As a result, consensual same-sex relationships between adults are not considered a criminal offence. While same-sex marriage is not legally recognised, same-sex couples are free to live together in consensual relationships. Courts have also, in several cases, directed authorities to provide police protection to such couples and safeguard their right to live without interference from family members or others. ​