SC directs Bihar, Delhi police to protect minor seeking marriage annulment
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Bihar director general of police and the Delhi police commissioner to ensure the safety of a minor girl seeking annulment of her marriage.
A bench comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan noted that the girl and her friend feared for their lives, instructing authorities to contact them and provide necessary assistance.
The girl, who claimed to be fleeing with her friend, alleged that she was forcefully married on December 9, 2024, at the age of 16 and a half. She further asserted that her husband and in-laws were coercing her to remain in the marriage, citing expenses incurred during the wedding.
The bench agreed to hear the petition and sought responses from the Bihar administration, her husband, and in-laws by July 15.
"She was not allowed to return to her parental home by her in-laws who claimed to have given and spent a lot of money for the marriage and repeatedly told her that they wanted a baby. Her husband who is a civil contractor claimed that the petitioner's parents were indebted to them and she would have to continue in the marriage rather than go for further studies to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher or a lawyer," her plea stated.
The minor petitioner claimed she was confined by her father-in-law despite promises that she could return to her parents and continue her education.
"The present writ petition...has been filed through next friend by sixteen-and-a-half-year-old minor petitioner who is facing threat to her life for protesting against continuing in a child marriage solemnised under coercion against her wish to continue her education," her plea stated.
"The petitioner is a hapless victim of child marriage who stands forlorn with no help from family and society in her fight to walk out of the abusive child marriage and hence pleads for invocation of the parens patriae jurisdiction of this court in the best interest of the petitioner," the plea added.
The minor claimed she was married off under coercion six months ago to a man aged around 32 or 33. She was sent to her in-laws' home immediately after the wedding, despite her Class X board exams being close.
She was reportedly assured she would return to her parents two days later.
"However, she was not allowed to return to her parental home by her in-laws who claimed to have given and spent a lot of money for the marriage and repeatedly told her that they wanted a baby. Her husband, a civil contractor, claimed that the petitioner's parents were indebted to them and she would have to continue in the marriage rather than go for further studies to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher or a lawyer," the plea said.
Seeking legal intervention, the minor requested the annulment of her marriage and the prosecution of her husband and in-laws under the Prohibition of Child Marriages Act, 2006.
She also urged authorities to ensure her and her friend's safety.
(inputs from PTI)
