The Rajasthan High Court has mandated that the state government take necessary measures to prevent any occurrences of child marriage within the state, asserting that village heads and panchayat members will be held accountable if such marriages are solemnized.
This directive comes just before the Akshay Tritiya festival on May 10, a time when many child marriages typically occur in Rajasthan.
Child Marriage Act
During a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition requesting the court’s intervention to curb child marriages, a division bench of the court observed that despite the existence of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, instances of child marriages persist in the state.
While acknowledging the efforts of authorities that have led to a reduction in such incidents, the court stressed that more substantial actions are required.
RP Singh, representing the petitioners, informed the court of a provided list detailing scheduled child marriages around Akshay Tritiya in the state.
Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules
The court, citing the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules 1996, emphasized the duty imposed on sarpanches to prevent child marriages. As an interim measure, the court instructed the state to compile a report on the investigations conducted to prevent child marriages and to closely monitor the attached list within the public interest litigation.
The court further directed the respondents to ensure that no child marriages occur within the state, reminding sarpanches and panchayat members that they will be held liable under Section 11 of The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 if they negligently fail to prevent such marriages.
