In a harrowing incident that unfolded on November 15 at 7:00 PM in Pawar Nagar, Thergaon, the unsettling specter of child marriage has reared its head. A 20-year-old brother, displaying exceptional courage, has filed a police complaint against his own father and relatives for orchestrating a child marriage for his 12-year-old sister.
The grievous complaint alleges that the 48-year-old father, Vijay Shankar Jadhav, who is a priest, collaborated with two women and a 23-year-old youth named Keshav Achyut Chavan to arrange the marriage. Shockingly, the groom, Keshav Chavan, hails from Solapur district.
During the marriage ceremony, the accused father reportedly went to extreme lengths, threatening the young girl and coercing her into silence. Despite the intimidation, the brother of the victim chose to defy the darkness surrounding child marriage and lodged a formal complaint with the Wakad Police Station.
The police have responded promptly by registering a case against Vijay Shankar Jadhav, Keshav Achyut Chavan, and three others, including Keshav Chavan’s sister and a priest. The 20-year-old complainant narrated the distressing circumstances surrounding his sister’s marriage, shedding light on the intimidation tactics employed by his father to shroud the matter in secrecy.
Initially hesitant due to fear of repercussions, the brother found the strength to approach the Wakad Police Station (Pimpri Chinchwad Police) with his mother to file the complaint, revealing a grim reality that demands urgent attention.
As the Wakad Police diligently investigate the case, their objective is to unearth the full extent of the circumstances surrounding this child marriage and take appropriate legal action against the accused individuals. The incident underscores the critical need for collective efforts to eradicate the deeply rooted issue of child marriage, emphasizing the importance of vigilance, education, and prompt legal intervention in safeguarding the rights and well-being of vulnerable children.
