‘This marriage cannot happen’

61 child marriages prevented in a year

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The women and child development department prevented 61 child marriages in the district between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. Marriages of girls below 18 and boys below 21 are prohibited and punishable under law.

District women and child development officer Mahendra Darade said timely action by authorities and alert citizens led to the intervention. FIRs were registered in five cases, two minor girls were placed in child care homes, and in the remaining cases marriages were stopped after obtaining written undertakings from parents. Tehsil-wise cases: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (25), Paithan (8), Gangapur (8), Vaijapur (3), Kannad (2), Khuldabad (2), Phulambri (4), Soygaon (2) and Sillod (7) totalling 61. Suspected cases can be reported free of cost on Childline 1098, which forwards complaints to the district administration concerned for action. Authorities warned that legal action can be taken not only against parents but also organisers, mediators, relatives, decorators, band operators and others involved. Child Protection Committee members including anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, police patils, teachers and local representatives play a key role in prevention.