Authorities foil 4 child marriages in a single day

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

In a shocking revelation, authorities prevented four child marriages on Sunday, exposing a disturbing trend where families disguise direct weddings as mere matchmaking meetings. The crackdown highlights the persistent issue of underage marriages in rural areas, despite ongoing awareness campaigns.

Over the past 11 months, 74 cases of child marriages in exchange for money have been reported. The latest interventions occurred after officials received four complaints in a single day. Acting swiftly, authorities dispatched teams to the locations and issued notices to the families, instructing them to appear before the Child Welfare Committee on Monday. Families were warned against marrying off their daughters before they turned 18.

Case Details:

In Vaijapur, a 17-year-old girl’s marriage was set with a 23-year-old laborer from Raigaon. Her parents, both farm laborers, cited financial hardships.

In Kannad, a 16-year-old girl was to marry a 23-year-old farmer from Wakad village.

In Sillod, a 16-year-old was about to be wed to a 22-year-old from the same taluka.

In Gangapur, the most alarming case involved a 14-year-old girl, whose family had arranged her marriage with a young worker from Chinchpur, Pachora Taluka. The groom, employed in the MIDC Waluj industrial area, was set to marry her there.

Families claim innocence

When questioned on Monday, all four families insisted they were only arranging the matches, not conducting weddings. Authorities recorded statements from both the minors and their prospective grooms before issuing formal notices. The Child Welfare Committee, led by Chairperson Adv. Asha Sherkhane, assured continued monitoring of these cases to prevent any further attempts. Despite legal restrictions and awareness drives, child marriages remain a harsh reality in several districts, often driven by financial distress and social pressure. Authorities continue their efforts to curb this practice, ensuring a safer future for young girls.