Jharkhand BJP chief Tala Marandi and his son Munna Marandi might be arrested after the State Committee for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) directed officials to lodge a police complaint over allegations that the BJP leader’s son married a 10-year-old girl.
“Based on the evidence furnished to us by the district administration, we are convinced a child has been married in the influential politician’s family overlooking the rule of the land. SCPCR has taken cognizance and decided to initiate criminal proceedings against all those who were directly or indirectly involved in the wedding,” SCPCR member Manoj Kumar told HT.
The SCPCR now has written to the Godda deputy commissioner, directing him to lodge an FIR against the father-and-son duo.
The development is a setback for the BJP that has been publicizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship programme Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. The Opposition is also gunning for the ruling party, alleging that the BJP leader used his influence to break the law.
But Tala, a legislator from Boriya, refuted the charges but refused to speak on his daughter-in-law’s age. “They have run dry of issues and are hence making personal attack on me and my family,” he told reporters.
{{/usCountry}}But Tala, a legislator from Boriya, refuted the charges but refused to speak on his daughter-in-law’s age. “They have run dry of issues and are hence making personal attack on me and my family,” he told reporters.
{{/usCountry}}Godda sub-divisional magistrate Sanjay Kumar said they have to go by what the school has furnished and the student’s age as per the school’s registration register is July 25, 2005.
But the matter has given fresh ammunition to opposition parties. “We sent a detailed report to the state women’s commission on around three days back on the minor’s marriage but we still await action,” said Godda district Congress president Deepika Pandey.
The development is a setback for the BJP that has been publicizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship programme Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.