Jaipur, December 2: A BJP candidate Shobha Chauhan was caught on camera telling a crowd that she would keep the police at bay to ensure child marriages take place. Following the controversial promise, the returning officer at Sojat assembly seat in poll-bound Rajasthan on Sunday sent a notice to Shobha Chauhan and sought an explanation.

Addressing a gathering at Sneh Sammelan in Peepaliya Kala area of Sojat, Chauhan said that there will be no intervention in child marriages conducted by a particular community in the area. She promised to ensure that the police don't interfere if she gets elected. Chauhan’s comment was captured on a video that later went viral, drawing sharp reactions. Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2018 Satta Bazar Prediction: Congress to Win Two States, BJP One, Says Matka.

“We have satta (power) and sangathan (state government) at our disposal. We won’t let the police intervene in child marriages,” she is seen telling the crowd in the video. Notably, child marriages are illegal in India. Chauhan was fielded by the BJP replacing the sitting MLA Sanjana Agari from Sojat constituency. Taking note of her comments, the Election Commission served her a notice.

"We have issued a notice to her and sought an explanation. We have got the video which has gone viral.  She has been given two days’ time to respond," Ayub Khan, returning officer, told TOI. Rajasthan will go to polls on December 7, while the results will be announced on December 11.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 02, 2018 10:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).