CHENNAI: A 34-year-old

came to

in search of her

, Basuvaraj, 32, who is a native of Kundalamalaiyur in

district. After a week-long effort to convince her lover’s family and to meet him went in vain, the woman sought the help of police to trace her

lover.

All had been well until S Menaga of Johor reached Tirupattur on September 31 to meet Basuvaraj’s family to seek their blessing for their marriage. When she reached the village, her lover’s family chased her away.

The woman approached the district police on Monday, who, in turn, directed the Investigation Unit on Crime against Women to take immediate action.

The woman, mother of two children, said her husband had deserted her and children. On learning about this, Basuvaraj befriended her on social media and fell in love with him. He also promised to marry her and developed a live-in relationship, according to her.

Basuvaraj, who was working as a construction worker in Singapore, returned to his village on September 14. “He called me and said that his family members were looking to find a bride for him. He promised to marry me as per his family tradition in the village and asked me to come here immediately. He gave me his address too,” said Menaka, who had been in relationship with Basuvaraj for more than a year now.

Basuvaraj’s relatives were aware about their relationship and even had spoken to her often over the phone, she said. “They were fine with our relationship and spoke to me nicely. But they act indifferently now. They chased me away when I went to the house,” said Menaga, who came to India on a two-week tourist visa.

The woman had been in touch with her over the phone till September 27. After that, his phone number was not reachable. “I don’t know where he is. I am worried about his safety,” said the woman.