Madhya Pradesh: Court orders registration of criminal case against BJP leaders for facilitating minor girl's marriage

In an unpleasant incident reported from Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh, a local court has ordered registration of a criminal case against four BJP leaders, including former state minister Harishanker Khatik for allegedly facilitating the marriage of a minor tribal girl hailing from Baisa Tiparian village panchayat.

The court passed the order after Congress leader Yadvendra Singh filed a complaint.

Judicial Magistrate Amar Singh Sisodia on Saturday ordered registration of a case under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act against Khatik, former minister of state, Surendra Pratap Singh, former chairman of the Bundelkhand Development Authority, Rakesh Giri, former Tikamgarh Municipality chairman, and Nandkisore Napit, former Tikamgarh district BJP chief.

The judge has summoned them to the court on October 12.

Yadvendra Singh's lawyer Anil Tripathi said the accused facilitated the marriage of the tribal girl with a married man from her community when she was only 15 years and 11 months old under the Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojana on April 25, 2012.

Khatik even performed the girl's 'kanya-daan' and took part in other wedding rituals, according to the complaint.