A 16-year-old girl has filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking annulment of her marriage, which she alleges was forced upon her. The plea outlines that she was compelled to marry a 32-year-old individual against her wishes, and she has faced physical and mental distress in her marital residence. She desires to complete her studies. The case is presented under the provisions of the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2006.
The petitioner states the marriage was performed without her consent, leading to suffering and hardship. She seeks the court’s intervention to declare the marriage invalid, thus enabling her to restart her life and continue her education. She is currently residing with her friend, Saurabh Kumar, who supports her.
The girl’s mother lodged an FIR on April 4th with the Pipalava police station in Patna, accusing Saurabh Kumar and his family of kidnapping. The petition claims this was done to compel the girl to return to her marital home. The girl has appealed to the Supreme Court to prevent any forceful actions stemming from the FIR and to ensure the safety of herself, Saurabh, and his family.
The plea cites Articles 32 and 142 of the Indian Constitution. Article 32 safeguards the right to seek redress for fundamental rights violations, while Article 142 grants the court the authority to issue orders to achieve complete justice. The girl requests the court’s intervention to invalidate the child marriage, thereby protecting her rights to education and personal freedom.
The case highlights the fight against child marriage, a pervasive social issue. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, prohibits the marriage of girls under 18 and boys under 21. This case seeks to protect the rights of the minor and also to create awareness about child marriage.