Underage Unions Unraveled: Indore’s Swift Action Saves 36 Girls from Early Marriage

In a decisive intervention, authorities in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, halted 36 child marriages during a mass wedding ceremony held on Friday in Bachhoda village, Depalpur tehsil. The event, organized for 49 couples, came under scrutiny when the Women and Child Development Department’s flying squad, led by Mahendra Pathak, verified the ages of the participants. Their investigation revealed that 36 couples included at least one underage individual, with the girls aged between 16 and 17 and the boys around 20 years old.

 

Officials immediately intervened, warning the event organizers and families about the legal consequences of violating the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006, which sets the minimum marriageable age at 18 for women and 21 for men. Violators risk up to two years of rigorous imprisonment or a fine of ₹1 lakh. The remaining 13 couples, who met the legal age criteria, were allowed to proceed with their weddings.

 

Authorities credited their vigilance and timely action for preventing a significant number of illegal marriages, reaffirming their commitment to protecting children’s rights and upholding the law.

 

Source: The Economic Times