Minor girl married off to 57-yr-old widower in AP

Rajahmundry, Jun 18: A minor girl was forcibly married off to a 57-year-old widower in Andhrapradesh on Thursday, Jun 17.

Police arrested the girl's mother and two others, late in the evening for the clear violation of child rights and Hindu Marriage Act of 1955.

Gudivada Jyothi, 17, was married off to P Balagangadhara Tilak who is a mechanical helper with APSRTC at Rajahmundry depot.

The wedding was at Satyanarayana Murthy Swamy temple in Aryapuram of Rajahmundry residential area.

Police meddled in after a while and brought the couple back from the groom's home in Kovvuru. The girl who was startled by the events revealed that she was coerced into the marriage by her parents and relatives.

Police officials, who verified the school records of Jyothi said that the girl stopped her studies after finishing seventh standard. "We have found out that she is only 17 years old and have booked a case against the village revenue officer for certifying her age as 20," said the police.

OneIndia News