Jharkhand – Cultural Activist Aparna Marandi gets bail after five months in jail

Ranchi , May 6,2013

Cultural activist Aparna Marandi accused of setting fire to seven vehicles at Kantikund in Dumka in a six-year-old case was granted bail on Monday by Jharkhand High Court.

Aparna Marandi was detained along with her four-year-old son Alok Maranchi, Hazaribagh social activist Sushila Ekka, and Baby Turi, an activist in Dhanbad were detained at Hatia station when they were on their way to Hyderabad on December 8, 2012. The others were allowed to go after two days. Ms Marandi’s bail application was rejected by Court of Judicial Magistrate and the District Court in Dumka.

“Like her husband Jiten Marandi, an accused in politician Babulal Marandi’s son killing who was later acquitted by the High Court, Aparna has been falsely accused. We condemn Jharkhand police’s repression against adivasis,” said Marxist Coordination Committee core committee member Sushanto Mukherjee.

Following the court’s order, Aparna Marandi is expected to be released from Dumka jail on Wednesday.