TN: Amid lockdown, 74 cases of child marriages in Trichy

TRICHY: The Trichy district administration has warned of two years rigorous imprisonment to those indulging in child marriages after several cases were reported during the lockdown.
Trichy district recorded 74 cases of child marriages from April this year, as per data available with the district social welfare officer (DSWO). The increase in number of cases prompted the DSWO to appeal to the collector to issue warning against the perpetrators, that leave the physical and mental health and future of the children in peril.
Acting on a report submitted by the DSWO A Thamim Munisha, Trichy collector S Sivarasu said marriage for a bride below 18 years and for bridegroom below 21 years will be considered an offence under The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
In a statement, he said that the parents of the child, guardian, organiser of the marriage, attendees of the marriage and those failing to stop the marriage can be prosecuted under the Act. The collector also made it clear that they can be sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment or imposed a fine of 1 lakh or both.
Of the 74 incidents, 15 were reported only after the marriages were conducted but the DSWO officials managed to bring it to the police and get the cases registered. The remaining were either stopped on the day of marriage or well before schedule.
"Despite creating awareness, people are not bothered about their children's lives," Munisha told TOI on Tuesday. Girls being subjected to child marriage are in the age group of 14 to 18 years while the bridegrooms are anywhere from 25 to 40 years.
People are under the impression that they can clandestinely solemnize child marriages during the lockdown. However, information from neighbours and relatives to Child Line helpline 1098 is exposing their plan.