By Jyotsna Singh BBC correspondent in Delhi

Priya Pande insists on living at the home of her alleged husband

Priya Pande claims she married her lover of three years, Babloo Chauhan, in a secret ceremony this year but that he then cold-shouldered her and refused to let her live in his home.

Mr Chauhan's family says the relationship was much shorter and no marriage took place.

Last week, Ms Pande turned the traditional groom's marriage procession - or baraat - on its head by gathering about 25 supporters and parading to Mr Chauhan's family home.

Supported by local members of the hardline Hindu Shiv Sena party, Ms Pande forced her way into the home and told the gathered journalists she was insisting on being allowed to live there.

I want to send a message to society that women are not dumb dolls Priya Pande

Ms Pande, 20, said she wanted to show that women should not be taken for granted.

After she was eventually thrown out by Mr Chauhan's family, Ms Pande lodged a complaint with police of harassment and demands for a dowry.

Mr Chauhan was arrested on Tuesday night and is being held in custody pending a court bail hearing.

Ms Pande says she has proof of their secret marriage in the form of an affidavit signed by herself and Mr Chauhan on 24 June.

She also claims that she fell pregnant and was forced into an abortion by Mr Chauhan.

Mixed reception

Ms Pande's wedding parade last week was played out in front of television cameras.

Dressed in the vermillion headwear that symbolises a married Hindu woman, she and her supporters marched amid drumbeats to Mr Chauhan's home, where his family members were seen trying to hide their faces.

Since then, Ms Pande has been flooded with a mix of congratulations and hate mail.

Would-be Delhi bride Nisha Sharma sparked a series of dowry rows

"I have been getting a lot of support from women, but some people have threatened me with dire consequences for my behaviour," Ms Pande told BBC News Online.

"But I am not scared. My parents who did not support me initially are actually very proud of me now. I want to send a message to society that women are not dumb dolls. They have a mind of their own and they can no more be taken for granted."

Many have hailed her courage, including politicians from the Congress party.

One housewife, Aruna Rai, said: "In a small and traditional city like ours where girls are expected to quietly accept what comes to them, Priya is an example of how things are changing. Girls are at least not scared to speak out for fear of losing their dignity and family honour."

The issue of dowries was brought to a head this year by the case of Nisha Sharma, who called off her wedding in Delhi in May in protest at excessive dowry demands from the family of her groom-to-be.

She became an instant celebrity as politicians and non-government organisations honoured her for her boldness in calling in the police.