Pune, Maharashtra – Swift and decisive action by Pune District officials, led by Women Child Development Officer Monika Randhave, successfully thwarted an impending child marriage in Junnar. The coordinated efforts of various authorities, including Deputy Chief Executive Officer Pune Zilla Parishad, District Women & Child Development Officer Jamsing Girse, District Women & Child Development Officer Amol Pawar, Taluka Protection Officer Bhagyashree Ghadge, Gramsevak, and Child Development Project Officer Somnath Vayal, alongside the police, ensured the prevention of a child marriage during a mass wedding ceremony.
Upon receiving information about the impending child marriage, the officials promptly intervened and examined the girl’s school certificate, revealing her age to be 15 years and 6 months, while the boy was 24 years old. Counselling sessions were conducted with the parents and relatives, providing detailed information about the legal aspects of child marriage. A written commitment was obtained, ensuring that the marriage would not proceed until the girl reached the age of 18 and the boy attained the age of 21.
The successful prevention of child marriage was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various officials, including Police Sub-Inspector Anil Kerurkar and his team, Child Development Project Officer Amol Pawar and his team, Gramsevak Somnath Vayal, Taluka Protection Officer Bhagyashree Ghadge, and Police Officer Priti Kawade.
It’s crucial to highlight that child marriage is a punishable offence under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. The act prescribes penalties for participating in or facilitating child marriages. Authorities stress the importance of verifying age through documents such as the date of birth or school leaving certificate.
In case of witnessing or having information about child marriages, individuals are encouraged to report it immediately through channels like the child line number 1098, police helpline number 100, or by contacting police officers or the Women And Child Development Department. The District Women and Child Development Officer’s office in Pune emphasizes the confidentiality of the informant’s identity in such cases.
