Women and Child Development Department stopped child marriage in Bemetra

Raipur. The joint team of Women and Child Development Department, Police Department and Child Helpline 1098 stopped the marriage of a minor girl in Bemetara district. District Program Officer cum District Child Marriage Prohibition Officer received information about marriage of a minor girl in a village of the district to a young man from Bilaspur. As soon as the information was received, a joint team of Women and Child Development Department, Police Department and Child Helpline 1098 was formed and sent to the village.

The joint team took action four days before the marriage and stopped the marriage of the minor girl. The groom’s side was also given advice through telephone. Also, after establishing coordination with Bilaspur District Child Protection Unit, District Child Protection Unit Bilaspur went to the groom’s residence and gave advice. Upon persuasion, the family members of the bride and groom gave their consent for the marriage to take place only after the girl completes the prescribed age and asked for postponement of the marriage.

At present, under the existing law, marriage of a girl below 18 years of age and a boy below 21 years of age is illegal. After being counseled by the team, the bride’s side swore that the girl would be married as per the existing law. The team told them about the provisions mentioned in the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006 that getting married before completing the prescribed age is a crime. Legal action can also be taken against the parents of the bride and groom, relatives, wedding guests and the priest who conducts the child marriage. The person who does or causes this to happen or provides assistance in the marriage can also be punished with rigorous imprisonment for up to 02 years or a fine of Rs 1 lakh or both.