16-Year-Old Girl Forced Into Marriage in Bengaluru: Police Case Filed Under Child Marriage Act

The marriage reportedly occurred on September 26, according to police officials.

Bengaluru:

Police have registered a case regarding an incident where a 16-year-old girl was allegedly forced into marriage at a mosque in Anepalya, Bengaluru, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The wedding ceremony reportedly took place on September 26, as per police reports.

Following a complaint filed by a government official, authorities registered the case under relevant sections of the Child Marriage Restraint Act at Ashok Nagar police station on September 29. The complaint alleges that the girl's parents forced her into the marriage.

"We received a complaint from a third party and subsequently referred the case to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). After receiving their report, we registered a case. Further legal actions will be taken as per established protocols," stated a senior police officer.

In a separate complaint, advocate Hussain Owais S submitted letters to DG&IGP MA Saleem and Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, bringing attention to this "illegal marriage" case. The complaint specifically named Sujat Ali, Hasan Raza, and Waqf Board member Mir Kaim (also known as Azan Jafari) among those allegedly involved in conducting or participating in the marriage ceremony.

The complaint further emphasized that the marriage violated the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and noted that any sexual relationship with the minor, even under the guise of marriage, would constitute rape under the POCSO Act.

"Information from the general public suggests the girl may be pregnant, though this can only be confirmed through proper medical examination," the complaint added.