Rajasthan: Two girls approach Bundi authorities to halt their child marriages scheduled for Feb 10
Kota (Rajasthan) (PTI): Two girls, studying in Class 12, have reached out to authorities in Rajasthan's Bundi district to stop their marriages, scheduled for February 10, officials said on Saturday.
A 17-year-old girl approached the office of Talera Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rajesh Tailer on Friday, seeking assistance to stop her proposed marriage.
In response, Tailer initiated the process of issuing a prohibitory order. The girl's parents and family members were summoned to the office, where they were informed about the legal provisions related to child marriage and its consequences.
ALSO READ: Delhi records low of 11.8 deg C, AQI ‘poor’ at 214
Bundi Child Welfare Committee (CWC) chairperson Seema Poddar said a prohibitory order will be issued, preventing the girl's parents from conducting her marriage until she turns 18. The girl has been sent to a government shelter home for her safety.
In a similar case, a 16-year-old girl approached the CWC on Monday to halt her proposed marriage, also scheduled for February 10. The girl, studying in Class 12 through open schooling, was to be married to a 20-year-old man from Bhilwara district.
Upon learning that their daughter had informed the authorities, the girl's parents attempted to advance the marriage to February 9 and also tried to relocate her. However, with swift action from the CWC, in coordination with Childline and the police, the girl was traced and taken into protective custody. She has been placed in a safe home until the scheduled marriage date to ensure her protection.
Regarding the girls' upcoming exams, Poddar stated that the CWC will request the concerned authorities to change their examination centres and will assume responsibility for their educational needs. She also noted that Bundi is the only district in Rajasthan where more than half a dozen prohibitory orders have been issued to prevent child marriages.
The Child Welfare Committee has called on citizens and parents to cooperate in eliminating child marriage, ensure girls' education and safety, respect the law, and protect children's rights. Authorities have urged the public to report any child marriage-related information to Childline at 1098 or to local administration.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
