Supreme Court orders police protection for minor girl who fled to escape child marriage with 33-year-old man

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi and Bihar Police to provide protection to a 16-year-old girl who was married off to a 33-year-old man..A Bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan was hearing a writ petition filed by the girl through her next friend under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking protection and annulment of her marriage under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006..The girl alleged that she had been forcibly married to a contractor in Bihar to settle her parents’ financial liabilities and was being threatened for attempting to escape the marriage.The petitioner also alleged physical abuse at the hands of her husband and claimed that her family had failed to support her..The Court was informed that the petitioner had recently completed her Class 10 board examinations and wished to continue her studies, but her in-laws opposed it. It was further submitted that after she left home with a friend, her family filed a kidnapping case against the friend. She stated that her husband was personally pursuing the case and had openly threatened to kill her..In view of the allegations, the Court directed both Delhi and Bihar Police to ensure that the girl and her friend remain safe and unharmed. The Bench further directed the authorities to maintain regular contact with the petitioners and file a status report before the next date of hearing.“We direct Director General of Police, Bihar as well as Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to provide full security to the petitioner to ensure that no harm is caused to the petitioner and her next friend. We further direct to issue necessary instructions to the police authorities to be in touch with the petitioner and her next friend. In case of any emergency, necessary assistance can be provided. Respondent No. 1 and 2 submit separate status report in sealed cover to the Court by next date. List on 15th July,” the Court recorded in its order.