Child marriage shocker in Andhra Pradesh: 13-year-old girl forced to marry 40-year-old man; police book groom, mother and others

HYDERABAD: Nandigama police have registered a case under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act against a 40-year-old man for allegedly marrying a 13-year-old girl. The case came to light nearly two months after the marriage was performed.The minor, who recently returned to her parents' house and rejoined school, appeared visibly disturbed, prompting a concerned teacher to speak with her. During the conversation, the girl revealed that her mother had allegedly forced her into marriage in May. The teacher immediately took the girl to police and filed a complaint.In her statement to police, the girl said her father had passed away a few years ago, and her mother, a single parent and sole breadwinner, had asked their house owner to find a match for her. The house owner introduced a 40-year-old man, and the marriage was performed in the presence of several people, despite the girl's objections.Though the girl has since been staying with her mother and resumed schooling, the police have now booked the groom, the girl's mother, and others who attended the wedding.Police said that no charges under the Pocso Act were invoked as there was no evidence of sexual abuse. Only the Child Marriage Act provisions have been applied so far. The accused is yet to be arrested.