Child marriage stopped in Mudigere

Amidst the election atmosphere, a child marriage was stopped by the police in Madhugundi on Sunday.

The bride, aged 14, was engaged to be married to Harish, 21. Based on a tip off, a team of Mudigere police led by Circle Inspector Jagadish and Sub Inspector Thimmegowda, raided the place of marriage and busted the efforts of the elders of carrying out an illegal deal.

When the bridegroom and his parents got a hint of police raid, they took to their heels. Later, with the help of relatives, the police summoned the bride, bridegroom and their parents to explain them the ill-effects of child marriage and the laws pertaining to child marriage.

The bride said she will continue with her studies and will tie nuptial knot only after attaining the appropriate age. It was taken in writing from the bridegroom that he will wait till the bride attains the marriable age. The bride, bridegroom and the relatives returned to their villages later.

Madhugundi is a backward village and the family which was upto conducting the child marriage belonged to Scheduled Tribe. Both the families admitted before the police that they were not aware of the laws preventing marriage of girl child within the age of 18 years.