Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and C P Joshi have landed themselves in a spot with officials in Rajasthan ordering a probe into a mass child marriage ceremony in Baran district that was allegedly organised by an Independent MLA and where the two were present.
Baran District Collector P Yashwant named a four-member panel headed by ADM (City) S R Meena to inquire into a verbal complaint lodged by villagers of Badi ki Baodi that Independent MLA Promod Jain had organised the mass marriages on April 21 under the banner of Balaji Jan Kalyan Samiti.
"The committee will inquire into the veracity of the allegations whether the wedding of any minor children was solemnised during the mass marriage ceremony organised by the Samiti," Yashwant told PTI.
He said the committee will submit its report in a day or two.
According to Yashwant, it is still to be confirmed whether any child was wedded during that ceremony that was attended by AICC general secretary Gehlot and state party president Joshi.
Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minister Madan Dilawar alleged at least 100 minor children were married off at the ceremony organised by Independent MLA Promod Jain.
Dilawar said he has received specific information from his brother Krishna Murari Dilawar, the village sarpanch, that two minor daughters of one Ram Bharose were allegedly wedded during the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Jain has denied any child marriage was solemnised in the mass marriage. He said it was a conspiracy by his rivals to give a political colour to the ceremony.
