Jitan Marandi framed in Chilkhari case, says his wife

Jitan Marandi — one of the accused in the Chilkhari massacre — was framed , his wife Aparna Marandi claimed on Monday.

Addressing the press here, Ms. Marandi claimed that the police had arrested an innocent person just because he shared the same surname with the original criminal.

The Additional District and Sesssions Court, Giridih, has awarded the death sentence to Mr. Marandi along with three others — purportedly Maoists — for the October 26, 2007 massacre of 20 villagers, including the former Chief Minister, Babulal Marandi's son Anup.

The victims were watching a football match when they were gunned down at Chilkhari in Giridih district. Mr. Babulal Marandi's brother escaped the attack.

Trapped

According to Ms. Marandi, her husband was trapped in the case. She appealed to the State government to reinvestigate the matter.