13-Yr-Old Goes To Cops, Alleges Parents Forcing Her To Marry

A class VIII student from Rajasthan exhibited great valour by approaching the police to complain against her parents who were allegedly forcing her to marry a middle-aged man. She also told the authorities that the man was offering her parents a sum of Rs 10 lakh for the same.

Ramesh Saini, station house officer at Kalwar police station, told HT that the girl came to narrate her harrowing tale when her parents were not at home.

“The girl, a Class 8 student, came to the police station on Wednesday and told us that she was being forcefully married to a middle-aged man. She also gave us a wedding card as proof,” he said. He added that they are investigating the matter and trying to get in touch with her parents, but they haven’t returned yet.

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To ensure the girl's security, the police handed over the girl to the child welfare committee.

Manan Chaturvedi, chairperson of the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (RSCPCR), will counsel the girl.

“I have asked the police to investigate the incident and if it is verified that money has been taken, then action will be taken against her mother,” she told HT.

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She also endeavoured to adopt her if the girl wanted to stay with her. Meanwhile, she was being sent to a children's home.

The commission will be acknowledging her valiant act by awarding her. The neighbours who assisted the girl in approaching the police authorities will also be awarded.

According to a report, around 47% of girls in India are married off by the time they are 18 years old.

While cases of child marriage are still rampant in the country, what this 13-year-old girl did to escape from child marriage deserves a lot of praise.

Image credits: Himalayan Times

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Charvi Is An Intern With SheThePeople.TV