Jharkhand BJP chief Tala Marandi's son, Munna Marandi, is again in the middle of a storm. Munna Marandi allegedly married an 11-year-old girl on June 27 in Jharkhand's Godda region.

The reception, which was held on Wednesday, was to be also attended by Chief Minister Raghubar Das, who cancelled his scheduled appearance at the last moment to avoid any controversy.

Tala Marandi avoided questions on the issue and said that the mother of the girl was in a better position to talk about the age of her daughter.

This shocker comes merely three days after Munna was accused of sexually abusing another minor for two years on the pretext of marriage.

Tribal woman accuses top BJP leader's son of sexual abuse

MUNNA WAS TO MARRY SOMEBODY ELSE

According to the chairperson of the State Commission for Women, the marriage was a hush-hush affair.

Munna was supposed to marry another girl, but after the allegations of sexual assault came to light, the girl's family backed out of the marriage just a day before the wedding.

He then married the Class 6 girl in a hurry. She, however, added that the Commission hasn't received any complaint from the girl (who Munna married).

This was also confirmed by the Opposition leader in Jharkhand Assembly, Shibu Soren, who said that the name mentioned on the wedding card was different from the name of the girl with whom Munna got married to.



CONGRESS, JVK DEMAND ACTION

The state Congress and the Jharkhand Vikar Morcha are demanding action against Marandi and his son.

While the Congress wanted the resignation of the BJP state president, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha's principal secretary has demanded an SIT investigation.

Surprisingly, the state BJP leaders are silent on the issue and none have come to Marandis's defence.



EARLIER CASE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

On Wednesday, a minor appeared before the State Commission for Women, and submitted an application accusing Munna of sexually exploiting her for two years on the pretext of marriage.

The SCW chairperson, Mahua Maji, said the Commission had taken cognizance of the complaint and had written to the DGP. The minor girl in this case had approached a Godda court earlier.

The girl, aged around 16, said she came to know of Munna's marriage plans in April. "He told me that he was under pressure from parents. I then approached police. They did not listen. Then, I approached court," The Indian Express quoted her as saying.

She said "He (Munna) first saw me during the poll campaign in 2014. Later, he met me a few times. On January 1, 2016, he came to wish me Happy New Year. I was alone in the house. He forced himself on me. When I resisted, he promised marriage. When my mother and elder sister came, I told them everything. Over a period of time, he began taking me to various places. Believing in his promise of marriage, neither I nor my family opposed."

Also Read:

Minor girl ends wedlock to focus on child marriage practice

Marandi felicitated

