Archive · 8 Sep 2026
West Bengal Announces Stern Action Against Child Marriage Offenders
West Bengal says it will take stronger action against child marriages.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the plan after a cabinet meeting.
The government says police can investigate people who arrange, conduct or participate in these marriages.
Officials may use laws that protect children and prohibit marriage involving minors.
The government reported nearly 60,000 hospital deliveries involving underage girls during the first half of 2026.
Murshidabad had the largest reported number, with 12,847 cases.
Families and other people involved could lose government benefits.
Officials also warned that arresting thousands of people could create practical and social problems.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced arrests and legal action against people involved in child marriages.
Authorities may invoke the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, the POCSO Act and the BNS.
Nearly 60,000 institutional deliveries involving underage girls were reported between January 1 and June 30, 2026.
Murshidabad recorded 12,847 such deliveries, followed by South 24 Parganas with 4,178.
Offenders could receive showcause notices, lose government benefits, face arrest and be subject to court proceedings.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the state government announced the measures; the targets are people involved in child marriages.
- What
- A proposed crackdown involving investigations, arrests, legal proceedings and withdrawal of government welfare benefits.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday, September 7, 2026; the cited delivery figures cover January 1 through June 30, 2026.
- Where
- West Bengal, particularly Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas.
- Why
- The government said it was responding to widespread child marriages and underage childbirths and intended to deter people from facilitating them.
Government’s crackdown
Implementation concerns and criticism
Need for arrests
Government’s crackdown
Adhikari said parents, spouses, marriage facilitators and solemnizers involved in child marriages are criminals and should face arrest and legal action.
Implementation concerns and criticism
Senior officials said arresting thousands of people could suddenly disturb the social balance and create a shortage of jail space.
Responsibility for the problem
Government’s crackdown
Adhikari blamed the previous Trinamool Congress government’s alleged apathy and failure to share data with the Central Government.
Implementation concerns and criticism
A senior bureaucrat said the previous government’s Kanyashree scheme did not prevent child marriage sufficiently, meaning the new government would need additional approaches.
Welfare-benefit penalties
Government’s crackdown
The government said families and others involved in child marriages would lose state and central government welfare benefits.
Implementation concerns and criticism
Administrative sources suggested that the public announcement was primarily intended to send a deterrent message, while acknowledging that mass enforcement would be difficult.
- Announcing official
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari
- Announcement venue
- State secretariat Nabanna, after a cabinet meeting
- Laws mentioned
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006; Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act; Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Reported underage deliveries
- Nearly 60,000 institutional deliveries between January 1 and June 30, 2026
- Highest reported district
- Murshidabad, with 12,847 institutional deliveries involving underage girls
- Second-highest reported district
- South 24 Parganas, with 4,178 cases
- Possible consequences
- Showcause notices, withdrawal of state and central welfare benefits, arrest and legal proceedings
