Child marriage laws get stricter

NEW DELHI: Laws against child marriage were tightened on Tuesday, with priests, police or local leaders facing jail and fines if they permit the widespread but illegal practice.

Renuka Chowdhury, minister for women and children, said the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2006 passed on Tuesday gives protection to tens of thousands of children forced into marriage every year.

“When we tell our children that they cannot vote when they are 18 years of age, we do not allow them to drive or drink, then how is it that we think that they are capable of getting married?” Chowdhury asked the Lok Sabha.

Under the new bill, adult males marrying children and people involved in performing, abetting or attending a child marriage can face up to two years in prison and a fine of 100,000 rupees. Each state will have to appoint child marriage prohibition officers to stop the practice and collect evidence to prosecute such cases.

Courts will also be empowered to declare a child marriage null and void years after it takes place, if the person who was married as a child so desires. The husband will be forced to pay maintenance and give residence to the former wife.