Jharkhand BJP Chief's Son Accused Of Marrying 11-Year-Old

Ranchi: Jharkhand BJP President Tala Marandi's son Munna Marandi has been accused of sexually exploiting a girl for over two years and then marrying another girl, a minor, this week.

A girl has filed a complaint at a court in Godda district alleging that Munna Marandi exploited her sexually for two years and had promised to marry her, and then went back on his word.

She alleged that Mr Marandi befriended her, gifted her a mobile phone so that they could remain in touch, used her sexually, and then agreed to marry someone else.

She said she filed the complaint after she learnt about Munna Marandi's planned marriage.

Mr Marandi's marriage was reportedly solemnised on Tuesday -- allegedly with a girl who is only 11 years old.

The girl alleging sexual exploitation also approached the Jharkhand Women Commission on Wednesday. The commission's Chairperson Mahua Manjhi assured her that her complaint will be acted upon.

Sources in the commission said that a notice could also be served on Tala Marandi for allegedly getting his son married to a minor girl.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das cancelled his scheduled appearance at the wedding reception in Godda on Wednesday despite the fact that he was in the district on that day.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules the state, has so far been silent on the issue. The opposition parties have demanded an enquiry.

"The BJP should sack the state president and a fair probe should be instituted to investigate the allegations of sexual exploitation and marriage with a minor girl," Alok Dubey, General Secretary of Jharkhand unit of the Congress, told news agency IANS.

A Santhal tribal leader, Tala Marandi was appointed the president of the Jharkhand unit of the BJP last month.

He represents Borio Assembly constituency in Sahibganj district.