Girl seeks judge's help in stopping her marriage

A class nine student participating in a legal awareness programme organised at her school on Monday, took everyone by surprise by seeking a judge’s help in stopping her marriage.

Senior Civil Judge Bhrungesh, who was attending the programme organised to create awareness on law and the significance of nutrition among the children, was interacting with them, when the student sought his help to stop the marriage.

The girl, who initially questioned the judge over the existence of any law to check child marriage and also the punishment for violating the same, also succeeded in eliciting the reply from the judge. The judge said it is a punishable offence, and the department of women and child welfare has been working along with the child welfare committee and the children protection unit to check such marriages.

Following this, the girl in tears narrated that ‘My parents have fixed my marriage against my interest, as I want to study further.’

Embarrassed by the sudden revelation of the girl, the judge directed the members of the child welfare committee and also the DySP present at the programme to convince her parents in stopping the marriage. The judge also directed them to bring the girl’s parents to his office, if they fail to abide by the law.

Child Welfare Committee member T J Suresh said that ‘the committee will visit the girl’s house on Tuesday.’