Anonymous call leads to prevention of child marriage

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Acting on an anonymous tip-off about a child marriage being conducted at Kamalapur Phata in the Waluj area, the police control room alerted the Damini squad, which promptly rushed to the wedding venue and prevented the ceremony.

Preparations were underway for the marriage of a minor girl to a 22-year-old youth. After explaining the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act to the family members, the police successfully halted the wedding. The information was received through an anonymous call to the police control room. Police sub-inspector Kanchan Miradhe of the Damini squad was instructed to initiate action. Without delay, constables Kalpana Kharat, Anita Shinde, Kalpana Nagare and Sita Dhakane reached the wedding venue at Kamalapur, where arrangements for the feast were in progress and both the bride and groom were present. Nitesh Durve from the District Women and Child Development Committee, who accompanied the team, verified the Aadhaar cards of the couple. It was found that the bride was 16 years and 2 months old, while the groom was 22 years old. When questioned about the reason for arranging the marriage at such a young age, the girl’s grandparents stated that she had lost her parents and that they were elderly and unable to care for her further. They said they decided to solemnise the marriage as they had received a suitable proposal. Durve counselled the family about the legal implications and consequences of child marriage. Following the intervention, the family agreed to call off the wedding. They informed the authorities that they would take the girl to Kalyan (Thane district), where they reside for work. The police have directed the concerned family members to appear before the Child Welfare Committee on May 12 for further proceedings.