Kerala court blocks nine child marriages in Malappuram

An order issued by a court in Kerala has prevented the marriage of nine minor school girls. Judicial First Class Magistrate court, Manjeri in Malappuram, gave the order based on a petition filed by Child Welfare officer based on an investigation report. 
 

The injunction order of the court ordered parents not to proceed with their plans. This comes barely six months after a court prevented the marriage of 12 minor girls in Nilambur. 
 

The parents of girls, between 16-17 years, were planning to solemnise the marriages during April-May months. Court summoned the parents and asked them to submit the birth certificate of the girls, to check their age. They were also allowed to file their objection. However, on examining birth certificates, it was found that the girls had not attained majority. 
 

Following this, the court issued an injunction order under Section 13(6) of Prohibition of Marriage Act, 2006. Violation of court order would lead to two years imprisonment and penalty amounting to ₹1 lakh. 
 

The marriage plan came to light after one of the girls made a call to the toll-free number of Child Line seeking help. The girl said that she wanted to study, but the parents have fixed her marriage. 
 

Following this, Child Line officials conducted a preliminary investigation and found that the complaint was true. The probe also revealed the plight of eight more girls whose marriages were slated to be held during summer vacation. 
 

Child Line alerted District Child Protection Unit, who in turn identified the families and warned them of the legal consequences. They found that the parents were aware of the laws but were forced to conduct marriages owing to other factors. 
 

However, the parents agreed to put off the marriages, but Child Line officials approached the court seeking an injunction. 

• child marriage
• court injunction
• Prohibition of Marriage Act
• marriage of minor
• minor girls marriage