14-Year-Old Girl Forced into Marriage and Physically Abducted by Husband
Teen Girl Rescued from Forced Marriage in Karnataka
A distressing video from Karnataka’s Hosur has surfaced on social media, showing a teenage girl being forcibly taken away by a man, while her cries for help echo across the fields. The shocking footage has led to the arrest of four adults involved in the incident.
The 14-year-old girl, hailing from Thimmathur, a small village near Tamil Nadu’s Hosur, had been married off to a 29-year-old labourer named Madesh from Kalikuttai village in Karnataka. Despite her protests, the wedding took place in Bengaluru, and upon returning to her hometown, the girl refused to go to her in-laws’ house.
Forced Kidnapping and Social Media Outrage
The girl’s protests were ignored, and she was forcibly taken by Madesh and his brother Mallesh from a relative’s house to Kalikuttai village. Onlookers recorded the incident on their cellphones, and the video went viral on social media, sparking outrage among netizens.
The All-Women Police station in Denkanikottai is currently investigating the matter, following a formal complaint filed by the girl’s grandmother. Several arrests have been made, including Madesh, Mallesh, the girl’s mother Nagamma, her father, and Mallesh’s wife. They all face charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and Child Marriage Act, which could lead to imprisonment and hefty fines.
Legal Action and Current Situation
The girl is now under the care of her grandparents, as child marriage is illegal in India for individuals under the age of 18. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act deems such marriages null and void, with strict penalties for those involved in facilitating or conducting them.
Despite legal provisions, child marriage remains prevalent in several states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh. In Karnataka alone, authorities received reports of 180 child marriages in the past year, with preventive measures taken in 105 cases and legal action initiated in 75 instances.
Efforts to combat child marriage and protect vulnerable minors continue, with the hope of creating a safer environment for young girls across the country. The incident in Karnataka serves as a stark reminder of the importance of enforcing laws against child marriage and safeguarding the rights of children.