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West Bengal Announces Crackdown on Child Marriage Offenders
West Bengal says it will take strong action against child marriages.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the plan after a cabinet meeting.
The government will use two laws against people who marry minors and those who arrange the marriages.
Officials will investigate underage marriages and pregnancies through house-to-house drives.
The government said nearly 60,000 hospital deliveries involved underage girls during the first six months of the year.
Murshidabad had the highest number of reported cases.
Husbands of underage girls may be asked to prove their wives’ ages.
People involved could lose government benefits and face arrest or court action.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced strict action against people involved in child marriages in West Bengal.
The state plans to invoke the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and the POCSO Act against offenders and marriage solemnizers.
Nearly 60,000 institutional deliveries involving underage girls were recorded between January 1 and June 30, according to Adhikari.
Murshidabad reported 12,847 such deliveries, while South 24 Parganas recorded 4,178.
Husbands of underage girls may face showcause notices, withdrawal of government benefits, arrest, and legal proceedings.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the state government announced the action; people involved in child marriages are the intended targets.
- What
- A crackdown on child marriage, including investigations, legal action, possible arrests, and withdrawal of government benefits.
- Where
- West Bengal, with Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas specifically identified.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday; the cited delivery figures cover January 1 through June 30, 2026.
- Why
- The government said it is responding to child marriages and institutional deliveries involving underage girls.
Key facts
- Announcing official
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari
- Laws cited
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and the POCSO Act
- Reported underage deliveries
- Nearly 60,000 institutional deliveries from January 1 to June 30
- Highest reported district
- Murshidabad, with 12,847 cases
- Second-highest reported district
- South 24 Parganas, with 4,178 cases
- Possible consequences
- Showcause notices, withdrawal of government benefits, arrest, and legal proceedings
Quotes
Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal Chief Minister
“The husbands of underage girls will be given showcause notices and asked to produce valid proof of their wife’s age. All benefits from the government will be withdrawn from all those who are involved in child marriages. Police will immediately arrest such people and legal proceedings will start.”
freepressjournal.in
“Irrespective of any religions, the state government would invoke the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and the POCSO Act against those marrying minors and also against those who are solemnising such marriages.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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