By India Today News Desk: A 40-year-old man was arrested for marrying an 11-year-old minor girl in Bihar’s Siwan. The accused is charged with provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the case came under the jurisdiction of the Mairwa police station area. The accused has been identified as Mahendra Pandey, a resident of Laxmipur village.

It is said that the accused decided to marry the minor after he had given a loan of Rs 2 lakh to the victim’s mother and the mother failed to repay the amount to him.

The case was registered after the minor’s mother filed a complaint at Mairwa police station. However, the minor and the accused have said that Pandey and the minor tied the knot with their consent. Also, Pandey already has another wife before he married the minor.

Further investigation in the matter is underway, as per the police.

(With input from Chandan Kumar)