VIJAYAWADA: A 13-year-old bride was rescued and the bridegroom arrested along with three others for performing their marriage on Saturday.
The accused were booked under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. The Women Development and Child Welfare (WD&CW) Department officials rescued the girl and shifted her to a home.
According to WD&CW Krishna District Project Director K. Krishna Kumari, elders fixed the marriage ‘muhurtam’ on December 22, last year. On information, the team led by Kankipadu Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) G. Umadevi and District Child Project Officer (DCPO) Ch. Vijay Kumar visited the bride’s house and appealed to the family members not to perform the marriage.
“The girl [aged 13] native of Gudavalli village, near Vijayawada, is studying seventh class in a local school. We explained the family the consequences, if a minor is married. But the family members went ahead,” said WD&CW Supervisor, Ch. Atchyutamba, who lodged a complaint with the Gannavaram police.
Mr. Vijay Kumar said the marriage was performed in a shrine in Vijayawada and the family members were preparing to send the bride to her in-laws house, located at Kandriga village in the district, when the police took the accused into custody.
“The bridegroom, Katupalli Isaac, aged around 30 years married the minor girl in second marriage, as his first wife died due to ill-health. We arrested Isaac, the girl’s parents – Ch. Essaiah and Kondamma – and bride’s grandmother Veerlagadda Bhagyam, who fixed the marriage on Saturday,” said SI Vasamsetti Ravichandra Kumar, who is investigating the case.
Ms. Krishna Kumari said the officials tried in vain to stop the marriage. “The WD&CW Department will give protection to the girl and help her in continuing studies,” the PD added.
