Child marriage victim delivers girl, probe on

The girl was married to a 24-year-old man from Uthukuli April, 2017. According to police, “A few years ago, the victim and her parents had migrated from Madurai to work in a copra drying unit in Tirupur. The victim was a Class 8 dropped out and was married to a relative.”

The marriage was solemnised by parents of both the families and came to light only when the staff from Tirupur GH brought the issue to the knowledge of child welfare committee officials.

However, the minor and her baby are in good health. On Thursday, Vasantha Kumar, Child Protection Officer held an inquiry with parents of the girl, her husband and in-laws.

“The girl will be allowed to nurture her baby only if it is confirmed that she was mentally and physically prepared. If not, the baby would be handed over to a home for children. The minor will be sent to a rehabilitation centre. However, final decision could be taken only on considering the legal issues,” he said. Meanwhile, the Child Welfare Committee officials are also mulling over pressing charges against the parents of the girl, her husband and in-laws for organising the child marriage.