Prabir Das, 33, told police someone gave away his secret to his fiancee, Shreshta Roy, who suddenly turned on him at a family dinner, a Daily Telegraph correspondent reported. Das said the woman tore off his hairpiece and began pummeling him and insulting him and that her family joined in, the report said.

The hairpiece was torn to shreds and Das said his would-be in-laws took his wallet, mobile phone, motorbike and driving license as a "penalty" for hiding his baldness.

Police haven't filed any charges but said the Dec. 12 wedding appears to have been called off, the newspaper said.