Minor sold to Rajasthan as child bride rescued, 2 held

KODERMA: A minor girl, a resident of Asnabad under Telaiya police station, who was sold as a child bride around four months ago, was rescued by a Childline team with the help of Telaiya police on Thursday.
The victim was allegedly sold for Rs 2 lakh by her mother and aunt as a child bride in Rajasthan, said Sailesh Kumar, member Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
The girl who is a student of Class V in Rajkiya Prathmik Vidyalaya, Asnabad,was taken to Rajasthan by her mother and aunt on the pretext of visiting the state where she was married off to one Darshan Solanki against her will in a temple.
The incident came to light when the girl somehow managed to return to Telaiya around 20 days ago and refused to go back to Rajasthan.
In the meantime, two men, including Darshan Solanki came to Telaiya to take the girl back to Rajasthan. The girl stood her ground and refused to go even under pressure from her family. The girl, who was being mentally and physically tortured in Rajasthan, narrated her ordeal to her neighbours and contacted Childline Koderma for help.
Childline informed Telaiya police station, who rescued the girl on Thursday. The police took Darshan Solanki and his companion into custody.
Narendra Singh, district child protection officer (DCPO), said, "The girl has been sent to Balika Griha at Dhanbad for rehabilitation and as per the recommendations of the CWC, a petition has been given to Telaiya thana to lodge an FIR against culprits under suitable sections."
Koderma deputy commissioner Aditya Ranjan said, "To eradicate this social evil, the district administration will provide all possible help to the families, who under economic compulsion, fall prey to such acts."
"Awareness programmes among those weaker sections of society will be organised. Strict action will be taken against those who are involved in human trafficking in the guise of child marriage. Koderma will be made completely child marriage-free district. Every possible step will be taken for it," he added.