Begusarai Deputy Commissioner Marries Niece, Family Alleges Kidnapping

Begusarai: In a case that has sparked controversy and legal action, Begusarai Municipal Corporation’s Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Shiv Shakti Kumar, 31, has married his niece, Sajal Sindhu, 24, in a love marriage. The couple tied the knot on August 14 at the Katyayani Temple in Khagaria. Just three days after their wedding, the couple released a video defending their relationship.

In the video, Sajal Sindhu revealed that their relationship began when she was in 12th grade. “We have been in love since 2015. Falling in love is not a crime,” she stated. Sajal’s family, however, had filed a kidnapping case against Shiv Shakti, accusing him of abducting her.

Sajal, in her statement, detailed their long-standing relationship, saying, “Our ancestral homes are in the same place. We’ve known each other since 2015, and our bond grew stronger over time.” She explained that after completing her matriculation in 2015, she moved to Banaras to study at Central Hindu Girls’ School, while Shiv Shakti pursued his postgraduate studies. Their relationship deepened during this period, eventually leading to their marriage at the renowned Maa Katyayani Shaktipeeth temple.

Sajal also shared her struggles following the death of her father on January 2, 2023. “I was under immense mental pressure and felt broken. Now, with the blessings of Maa Durga and Lord Krishna, Shiv Shakti has become my partner,” she said. She dismissed the kidnapping allegations as baseless, adding that they have known each other for a decade and have been part of the same family for 24 years.

However, the controversy surrounding their marriage has intensified. Sajal’s uncle, Arun Kumar Rai, has lodged a kidnapping complaint against Shiv Shakti in Vaishali. The complaint, which has also been submitted to the mayor, accuses Shiv Shakti of abducting Sajal on the morning of August 12 and taking her to the Begusarai Municipal Corporation office. According to Rai, a video recorded in the office shows Sajal being coerced into making a statement. The mayor has raised concerns about Shiv Shakti’s disappearance from work without approved leave and has questioned his professional conduct.