Krishnagiri: Police arrest 5, including parents, for forcing 14-year-old girl into child marriage

Police have arrested the parents of a 14-year-old girl and three others for forcibly marrying her to a 30-year-old relative in Krishnagiri district, as per a TOI report. The action was taken after the girl’s grandmother, who opposed the marriage, lodged a complaint.

How did the incident unfold?

The marriage took place on 3 March in Bengaluru. After returning from there, the girl refused to stay with her parents or the so-called ‘husband’ and took refuge at her grandmother’s house in Anchetty.

A shocking video later surfaced showing the man forcefully carrying the girl from her grandmother’s home, trying to take her with him. This led the police to book him on multiple charges.

Escape and arrests

According to the police, the girl, a Class 7 dropout, was forced to marry a man from the Kalikuttai area in Bengaluru. After the ceremony, the family and relatives returned to Anchetty, but the girl managed to escape and reached her grandmother’s house.

On Wednesday, the man visited the house and tried to take her back. When she resisted, he forcefully lifted her and carried her out. Soon after, the police arrested him, his brother, and the girl’s mother. The next day, the girl’s father and the sister-in-law of her ‘husband’ were also taken into custody.

Legal action and support for the girl

Krishnagiri district SP P. Thangadurai confirmed that all five accused have been booked under the Child Marriage Act and the POCSO Act for penetrative sexual assault.

The district administration has assured that the girl will receive proper counselling and support to recover from the trauma. Police have also promised to ensure her safety.

Inputs from TOI