Assam: Panchayat poll candidate faces allegations of child marriage law violation in Ramkrishnanagar

A serious allegation has surfaced against BJP candidate Rejona Begum, contesting from the Anipur Zila Parishad seat in the Ramkrishnanagar constituency, for allegedly violating the provisions of the Child Marriage Act.

According to the affidavit submitted by Begum along with her nomination papers, she was born on October 5, 1993. However, records indicate that her first child was born on August 25, 2010, suggesting that she entered into marriage at the age of 16, which is below the legal age of marriage for women in India.

In accordance with the norms of the village panchayat and election guidelines, candidates with a history of child marriage may be deemed ineligible to contest in local body elections. This development could lead to the cancellation of her nomination, pending further legal scrutiny.

Adding to the controversy, a Congress party legal representative claimed that, if proven, the case may not only disqualify Begum from the electoral race but could also lead to legal action against her husband, including possible imprisonment under existing child marriage laws.