The High Court ordered the prosecution of a priest involved in officiating a child marriage. The court emphasized the illegality of the act and reiterated the need for strict enforcement of child protection laws.
In a landmark ruling, the Allahabad High Court ordered legal proceedings against a priest and the secretary of the Arya Sanatan Dharma Seva Committee in Agra for facilitating a marriage involving a minor girl.
The court also instructed the arrest of the young man involved, who presented a forged age certificate, and placed him in custody at the local police station.
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The case emerged when a 12-year-old girl and the young man sought the court’s protection, claiming they were adults and married voluntarily. They submitted an Aadhar card to support their claim that the girl was of legal age. However, the government advocate questioned the validity of the document, prompting the court to initiate a detailed investigation into all submitted evidence.
Presided over by Justice Vinod Diwakar, the court also required the girl’s father to provide an authentic age certificate. Following this, the Saifai SHO confirmed that the girl born on September 8, 2011, making her around 12 years old. The father confirmed this information in an affidavit.
Upon reviewing the facts, the court declared the marriage illegal under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, citing concerns about the potential physical and mental harm to the girl, who was below the legal marriageable age.
The court ordered that the minor be placed under the care of the Etawah Child Welfare Committee and instructed the SSP of Etawah to personally oversee the case.
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This ruling highlights the judiciary’s firm stance against child marriage and the exploitation of minors. By ordering the arrest of those responsible and providing protective measures for the young girl, the court sent a clear message that violations of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act will not be tolerated. The case also serves as a reminder of the critical role that legal and law enforcement authorities play in preventing child marriages and ensuring justice for those affected by this unlawful practice.
The decision highlights the continuing challenge of child marriage in India, despite legal provisions that prohibit the practice. The court’s intervention in this case not only prevents further harm to the minor but also aims to deter future instances of child marriage in the region.