Intervention leads to stop Child marriage

District Child Protection Unit, Women and Child Development Department on receipt of information through child helpline 1098, a child marriage with a girl from Sahaspur Lohara with a young man from village-Mohlai, Teh-Bemetara of development block Bemetara was stopped.

A team was constituted which approached the groom’s family which had already left for Sahaspur Lohara, Kabirdham district. The team could stop the marriage party at village Mohlai, district Bemetara.

The bride’s side was also given advice through telephone and information regarding the said matter was given by establishing coordination with the Child Helpline, District Child Protection Unit Kabirdham. The family members of the youth gave their consent for the marriage only after the completion of the prescribed age and were asked to postpone the marriage. The family members of the youth stated that they did not know that currently under the existing law the marriageable age of a girl is 18 years and that of the boy is 21 years and any marriage under it is illegal.

The groom’s party gave an oath that the marriage of the said girl will be done under the currently existing law. And they were told about the provisions mentioned in the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006 that it is a crime to get married before the completion of the prescribed age, any person, such as parents of the bride and groom, relatives, wedding guests, who conducts the child marriage. Legal action can also be taken against the priests, band players, confectioners and vendors who conduct marriages. The person who does or makes such a thing happen or provides assistance in the marriage can also be punished with rigorous imprisonment up to 02 years or a fine which may extend to Rs 1 lakh. They can be punished with a fine or both.