India: Minor Girl Forced to Marry 35-Year-Old Man

Police have booked three persons for compelling a 13-year-old minor girl to marry a 35-year-old man. The marriage allegedly took place at Alandi on Friday.The victim’s mother, Sangeeta Navnath Valhekar, lodged a complaint in this regard with police.

According to her statement, she had kept her daughter at her sister-in-law’s place for upbringing. Valhekar collects scrap material to make a living in Yerawada. She alleged that her daughter was compelled to marry 35-year-old Ramesh Shinde, a resident of Khulewadi at Lohegaon, and the son of the complainant’s another sister-in-law who died a few years ago. Valhekar said in her statement that the girl was compelled to marry Ramesh at a temple in Alandi on Friday.

Moreover, Shinde has two daughters and was estranged with his wife, police said. Valhekar came to know about her daughter’s marriage from a friend. “The victim was living with the family for the past two years,” said PSI M G Bolkotgi of Airport police station. Police booked two sisters-in-law of the complainant, identified as Janabai Sukhdev Jandane and Mangal Nivgire.

No one has been arrested. They have been booked under sections 3,5,6 and 7 of Child Marriage (Restrained) Act and under section 366 of Indian Penal Code for kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her marriage.

Source: Sakaal Times