PUDUCHERRY: It was his last wish to see his sister happily married. The boy was fighting cancer and he knew that his days were numbered.Eager to fulfill his final desire, his family began preparations for the adolescent girl’s marriage. Manisha* was all of 17 but as per her brother’s final wish, she was married off to Karthi* (25). The wedding had the blessings of both families and was attended by relatives, friends and well wishers at the Senganiamman Temple in Veerampattinam on Wednesday.Trouble began when the lieutenant governor, chief minister, chief secretary and other officials received a complaint purportedly from the girl stating that she has been forced into the marriage.The girl, born on March 9, 1995 (as per her birth certificate)is a plus two student of Kasturba Gandhi Girls’ Government Higher Secondary School. The girl’s father Selvagham* works as security guard in a private company. Based on the complaint, the police conducted an inquiry and found that a minor girl had been married off. However, she denied having sent the complaint or had any objection to the marriage, police said. Since the marriage was unlawful as per the Child Marriage Act, 2006, the police registered a case against the parents of Manisha, (Selvagham and Kavitha*) as well as against the bridegroom Karthi. GP Palanivelu, SP (Rural), said no one has been arrested so far.*(All names changed to protect privacy of individuals)
Comments
0 comment