SC Issues Notice to Bihar Govt in Minor Girl’s Forced Marriage Case

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th June: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the Bihar government on a petition filed by a 16-year-old girl seeking annulment of her forced marriage to a 33-year-old civil contractor, citing threats to her life and safety for resisting the coerced union.

A bench comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuiyan and Justice Manmohan also directed the Bihar Police to provide full protection to the girl and her male friend, who faces a kidnapping FIR after helping her escape. The court has sought a detailed status report from the Bihar government in a sealed cover by July 15.

The petition, filed under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, alleges that the girl was forcibly married on December 9, despite her parents being aware that her Class X board examinations were approaching. Soon after the wedding, she was sent to live with her in-laws, where she was allegedly subjected to daily physical abuse for resisting a physical relationship.

The girl further claimed that her in-laws refused to let her return for studies and demanded a child instead. Her husband allegedly insisted the marriage must continue as her parents were indebted to him. The petition stated that the girl eventually managed to return to her parental home in January under the pretext of exams and later cleared her matriculation.

As pressure mounted on her to return to her in-laws, the girl sought help from her friend. On March 31, she escaped with him to Varanasi and has been in hiding since then. Her family, however, filed a kidnapping case against the friend, his parents, and his maternal uncle, allegedly to force him to abandon her.

The plea states that the police have already arrested the girl’s father and are using coercive tactics to ensure her return to her in-laws. She also alleged that her husband had threatened to kill her, saying, “he would not mind going to jail after killing her.”

The petition highlights the failure of the state machinery to protect the minor and uphold the provisions of the Child Marriage Act, despite clear legal safeguards. It urged the apex court to intervene to ensure her safety and freedom to pursue education and a dignified life.

The girl was represented in court by advocate Abhishek Rai, with the petition filed through advocate Gyanant Singh.