158 booked in child marriage case

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

In a case of child marriage, police have filed charges against 158 people, including the bride's uncle, aunt, groom, in-laws, wedding organizers, priests and guests. The underage girl at the centre of the case has been rescued and placed under the protection of a child welfare home, following an investigation spurred by a complaint from activist Rahul Charate.

The case revolves around a 15-year-old girl from Bhendala, Gangapur Taluka, who was married off to a 23-year-old man from Paithan on November 13, 2024. Supriya Ingle, probation officer at the Women and Child Development Department, shared that the girl's mother had passed away, and her father could not provide for her. Consequently, her uncle took over her guardianship. However, the girl was forced into marriage at a young age. After the wedding, the groom allegedly attempted to consummate the marriage, resulting in the girl fainting from trauma. Family members, instead of recognizing the severity of the situation, believed the girl had been affected by witchcraft and sought help from a tantrik in Madi, Beed district. For nearly two months, the girl was subjected to so-called healing rituals.

The situation was exposed when women’s rights activist Jayshree Thube notified the district child protection cell via the child helpline. District Women and Child Development Officer Reshma Chimdre, along with MIDC paithan police, worked quickly to locate the girl. On Sunday, a special operation led by Mahadev Dongre, Supriya Ingle, and others successfully rescued the girl from Balanagar. “We urge that if a girl is orphaned or if her guardians are unable to care for her, they should approach the Women and Child Development Department. The Child Welfare Committee will ensure her protection and well-being,” said District Women and Child Development Officer Reshma Chimdre.