

DHANBAD: Sanjeev Singh, son of late Suryadeo Singh , a former MLA from Jharia and a BJP trade union leader, on Monday, appealed to the people to encourage widow marriages after tying the knot with his widowed sister-in-law, Ragini Singh. Sanjiv's elder brother Rajiv Ranjan was kidnapped about a decade back and since then there was no trace of him. Brajesh Singh, a coal mafia who was arrested by the CBI, two years back claimed Rajiv was killed.

This is the first incident of widow marriage in Suryadeo Singh family.

Kunti Singh, MLA from Jharia and Sanjeev's mother and Indu Singh, mayor of Dhanbad and aunt of Sanjeev were also present on this occasion. Sanjeev claimed their marriage has been approved by their uncle, Ramadhir Singh, who heads the Janata majdoor Sangh, a trade union of colliery workers founded by Suryadeo Singh.

Sanjeev told TOI "Ragini and we decided to marry to honour the wish of our family and ensure a healthy growth of 12 year-old-Sakshi, daughter of Rajiv and Ragini. I lost my father when I was six, I realized the trauma faced by a fatherless child. I wanted to ensure a bright future to the child, give her a guardianship and an identity".

Sanjeev Singh had recently joined the BJP and Kunti Singh had declared Sanjeev as her political heir.

