Woman held for minor daughter's marriage

Nagpur, Aug 27 (UNI) A woman has been arrested for solemnising the marriage of her minor daughter here, the police said today.

The woman, identified as Sulochana Pradeep Bharati, along with four others, had fixed the marriage of her 17-year-old daughter with a boy, identified as Rakesh Popat (20), from Upaleta in Rajkot district, the police added.

The proposal had been brought to Sulochana by Devkabai Prakash Meshram and Anand Meshram, who were known to her, according to a police release here.

Another family friend, identified as Sudesh Gaurkhede, promised to give money for the ceremony, it said.

It was Guarkhede's son, Piyush, who tipped the police about the marriage being solemnised last evening. Acting on the tip-off, the police made enquiries at the marriage hall. It was confirmed from the bride's school leaving certificate that she was born on September 1, 1990, and, therefore, was not of legal age to get married, the release said.

The police have registered an offence under Sections 9, 10 and 11 of the Indian Child Marriage Prevention Act of 1984 against Devkabai Meshram, Anand Meshram, Sulochana Bharati, Rakesh Popat and Sudesh Gaurkhede, and arrested Sulochana.

UNI