In a disturbing case that underscores the persistence of child marriage in rural Telangana, a 13-year-old girl from Nandigama village in Rangareddy district was illegally married off to a 40-year-old man from Kandawada village in Chevella mandal. The incident came to light after the girl escaped and approached her former school headmaster seeking help.
According to police, the girl’s mother, a widowed daily wage laborer, was struggling to support her two children after the death of her husband. Desperate and vulnerable, she came in contact with a marriage broker, to whom she shared her plight. The broker allegedly introduced her to a middle-aged man who was financially stable. Believing this marriage would provide a secure future for her daughter, the mother agreed, and the marriage reportedly took place in May 2025, officiated by a local priest.
The girl was allegedly forced to live with the man after the wedding. Unable to bear the situation, she later returned to her village and confided in her former government school headmaster, who, along with the Tahsildar, reported the matter to the local police.
FIR Registered Under New Criminal Laws
Following the complaint, a case was registered against the 40-year-old man, the girl’s mother, the broker, and the priest. They have been booked under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which replaced the Indian Penal Code from July 1, 2025.
Legal Provisions Applied:
- Section 9, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act – Punishes a male adult marrying a girl under 18 with up to 2 years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh.
- Sections 10 & 11 – Punish those who perform, promote, or permit child marriage.
- Section 64, BNS – Considers sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 as statutory rape, punishable with 20 years to life imprisonment.
- Section 97, BNS – Relates to human trafficking, if any form of coercion or transaction is involved.
- Section 111, BNS – Covers criminal conspiracy, applicable to all involved.
The case has been referred to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for the girl’s counselling and rehabilitation. She has expressed her desire to return to school and continue her education.
A Grim Reminder
Despite being outlawed, child marriage continues in pockets of Telangana, driven by poverty, lack of awareness, and social pressures. Authorities have reiterated that child marriage is a cognizable and non-compoundable offence, and stern action will be taken against all those involved in such practices.
Police are urging the public to report any instances of child marriage and assured that all such cases will be handled with urgency and sensitivity.
