Navi Mumbai: A 22-year-old man from the Adivasi community has been booked for marrying a 16-year-old girl, after which she gave birth to a child at Alibaug civil hospital. Police have registered an FIR of rape along with the Posco Act, and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act as a medico-legal case was reported by Alibaug civil hospital. Thereafter, the zero case was transferred online to Uran police station. The accused had married the minor in an Adivasi hamlet in Uran taluka in Sept last year. The accused has been booked for the offence since he was aware the girl was underage at the time of marriage, and he allegedly entered into marital relations and impregnated her, said a police officer at Uran police station.
A cop said, “In Adivasi communities, child marriage is a widespread and deeply entrenched practice due to socio-economic factors and traditional customs. As per the provision of Indian law, since child marriage is illegal, an FIR has been registered against the minor’s husband. The accused has not been arrested as he is the only person to take care of her and their child. The legal procedure will be followed in the court of law. The matter regarding the offence of child marriage has been referred to the Child Welfare Committee for necessary action.”
