Don’t allow child marriages: SC to collectors, SPs

The Supreme Court has asked district collectors and SPs across the country to take steps to prevent child marriages.

A bench comprising Justices S.B. Sinha and S.H. Kapadia issued the direction just before the Holi vacation on a PIL filed by Forum, Fact Finding Documentation and Advocacy. The forum sought stringent action against officials who fail to prevent child marriages.

Presenting the case of the Centre, Solicitor General Goolam E. Vahanvati submitted that the Prevention of Child Marriages Bill, 2004, had been introduced in Parliament to replace the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, and objections and suggestions had been invited from the public.