A faux-pas was reportedly committed by the marriage registrar in Ballari who registered two marriages in which the female was underage.
Enquires have revealed that Rangaswamy, a construction worker, had filed an application for financial assistance for his marriage from the Construction Workers’ Welfare Board by furnishing all the details, including the date of birth of his spouse who happened to be underage.
In another case, Rangamma, also a construction worker, had filed an application for assistance after performing the wedding of her underage daughter.
At the time of marriage, Mr. Rangaswamy’s spouse was 17 years and 10 month old while the daughter of Ms. Rangamma was 17 years and 11 months old. Both weddings were performed in April-June last year and the applications for marriage registration filed in August-September.
The two cases came to light only at the time of scrutiny of applications. The pleas for financial assistance have been put on hold by the authorities.
K.V. Rajendra, zilla panchayat CEO and member of the Committee for Preventing Child Marriages, has ordered an inquiry by the district registrar into the matter. “Based on the report, stern legal action will be initiated against all those connected with the incident,” he said.