Dear Experts,
I was engaged in May this year but withing two weeks of Engagement families had various differences and issues and my family called off the engagement finally after ~6 weeks. One example issue is following.
Girl's father changed her commitment that marriage will take place in my home town. Initially he said that he never made a commitment (no one has any proof) but later he apologized and said that he doesn't have enough money. My father offered him that he doesn't have to pay anything for function, food or lodging. He took one week and refused again without a reason. That's just one example and there were other similar things.
After one week of calling the engagement off, girl's father called my father and threatened him to give him 2.5 Lakhs as compensation, and threatened that otherwise be ready for action. Point here: Boy's family's engagement expenses with proof / bills ~ 3.0 Lakhs and Girl's family's expenses without any proof / bills ~ 2.5 Lakhs. I reckon their expenses are not more than 1 Lakh.
He is also claiming that we asked for 6 Lakhs of dowry but thats an utter lie. I am sure he cannot present a proof because no such thing happened.
I am really scared about my family now. We are a very honest and law abiding family and we don't want to pay him this money only because of his threats. He is from Gwalior and has close friendship with some past and current judges as well. Thats what he is basing his threats on, I believe. He has also mentioned that he can make things work by bribing the right people.
We are really scared now. I'll appreciate if you experts can share your opinion on what should be our next step.
Kind regards,