Kanpur: A child protection team on Sunday successfully halted the marriage of a 14-year-old class 8 girl in a village under the Chaubiya police station area of Etawah. The intervention came after a complaint was received on the Child Helpline 1098.
The team reached the location and rescued the girl just moments before the wedding procession was set to arrive. All preparations for the ceremony had been completed, but the authorities stepped in to prevent the illegal union.
Officials reported that the village was in full wedding mode, with traditional rituals being observed. Preparations were complete for the procession to arrive late in the evening. However, it was discovered that the 14-year-old girl was being married to a 25-year-old man from the Saifai area. The man was already married and is also the father of a child.
Upon receiving the complaint via Child Helpline 1098, the child protection department swung into action. A team comprising child protection officer Sohan Gupta, district coordinator Keerti Gupta, case worker Arpit, and AHTU inspector in-charge Prem Chand Yadav reached the spot. SHO Chaubiya Mahendra Singh also deployed sub-inspector Mansingh to accompany the team.
On arrival at the village, the joint team stopped the wedding rituals and rescued the girl. She was taken to the district headquarters, where her medical examination is being conducted. Officials stated that she will subsequently be produced before the Child Welfare Committee, and further legal action is being taken against those responsible.
Child protection expert Prem Kumar Shakya emphasized that the marriage of a minor girl is completely illegal. Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, it is a serious offence and strict action can be taken against all involved parties.
