MADURAI: One person was arrested and another booked in separate incidents for marrying minor girls in Madurai district.
The Thirumangalam all women police arrested a 29-year-old man for marrying a 17-year-old girl. Sections under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act were also evoked as the accused had sex with the minor after marriage. The accused has been identified as A Sakthivel of Kasthuribai Colony in Perungudi. The girl’s mother and Sakthivel's father, Arumugam, have also been booked.
Police sources said the ChildLine received an alert on the wedding, which took place on November 22. A team led by Muthulakshmi, extension officer of the social welfare department, Thiruparankundram union was pressed into action.
The family claimed that the girl was not a minor. However, in a separate inquiry, the girl admitted that she was a few months short of 18 years. A case was registered based on the complaint from Muthulakshmi. In another incident, V Muthuprabu, 29, from Sambakulam near K Pudur in Madurai city was booked for marrying a 17-year-old girl. The girl’s 62-year-old gather and Muthuprabu’s father P Vellaisamy, 55, were also booked.
Police said that the marriage took place on November 26. However, social welfare officials received an alert only four days after the marriage. Extension officer of social welfare department from Kottampatti block conducted an inquiry and found that the girl has not completed 18 years. tnn