Thus, a sudden significant increase in child marriage-related cases has been observed over three years. The highest number of cases were registered in Assam, where 5,267 cases alone came to light. This accounts for about 90% of the total cases registered nationwide.
Similarly, 174 cases were registered in Tamil Nadu, 145 in Karnataka, and 118 in West Bengal.
Meanwhile, not a single case was registered in Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Ladakh, and Lakshadweep in 2023. According to the NCRB report, 16,737 girls and 129 boys were abducted for child marriage.
On September 26, during an event at the United Nations General Assembly, Just Rights for Children's report ‘Tipping Point to Zero: Evidence Towards a Child Marriage Free India’ was released. It claimed that India has achieved a significant milestone in preventing child marriages.
The report stated that 4 lakh child marriages have been prevented from 2023 till now. This is the largest number since the Child Marriage Prevention Act was enacted. Child marriages decreased by 69% in 3 years. In fact, in 2023, the UN Secretary-General had said that at this rate, it would take 300 years to eradicate this evil practice
Provision for punishment
Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, the marriage of a girl under 18 years of age and a boy under 21 years of age is prohibited. Not only this, legal action is also taken against those who arrange or assist in the marriage.
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