In a swift and commendable operation, the Akka Pade police unit in Belagavi successfully prevented a child marriage and rescued a minor girl from being forced into wedlock. The rescued child was produced before the Child Welfare Committee for further care and counselling.
Incident Details
On the night of April 20, a police patrol team from the Akka Pade unit was conducting routine surveillance in the Vantamuri Colony area when they noticed a pavilion set up in front of a house. Suspicious of the setup, the officers initiated an investigation. Upon questioning, they discovered that a groom from Pune was about to marry a minor girl from the locality. The police verified the girl's age by checking her Aadhaar card and birth certificate, which revealed that she was only 17 years and four months old.
Immediate Intervention
The patrolling officers immediately informed Inspector Dilip Nimbalkar of the Women's Police Station about the impending child marriage. Acting on his instructions, the Akka Pade team, along with personnel from the Mal-Maruti police station, rushed to the spot. They rescued the girl and presented her before the Child Protection Committee. The police also registered a case at the Belagavi City Women's Police Station against the girl's father for attempting to force his child into an underage marriage.
Team Efforts
The operation involved dedicated team members including Swapna Gondhali, Saraswati Karigar, and Mallayya Karadi. Mallesh Kundaragi, the coordinator of the District Child Protection Unit, also participated in the rescue mission. Their coordinated efforts ensured the timely prevention of the illegal marriage.
Police Commissioner's Appeal
City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase praised the Akka Pade team for their timely and effective intervention. He appealed to the public to cooperate with the authorities in preventing child marriages. Borase emphasized that underage marriages are a serious offense and urged citizens to report any such incidents to the police immediately. He reiterated the department's commitment to protecting the rights of children and ensuring their well-being.
The successful operation highlights the importance of vigilant policing and community cooperation in combating social evils like child marriage. The rescued girl is now under the care of the Child Welfare Committee, where she will receive necessary support and counselling.
