Pramesh S Jain
The Cubbon park police have registered a case against the head of the mosque among others for solemnising the marriage of 16-year-old girl in Anepalya,few days ago.
The incident came to light when Hussain Owais S,a city based advocate received the information about the girl aged around 16 years was married off to a 20-year-old boy,after the duo caught red handed .
Mr.Owais raised a complaint with the state and city police chief and also to the Child Welfare committee seeking immediate action and rescue of the girl on Friday .
But after four days of delay the Cubbon park police finally registered an FIR against known people charging them under section 11 (promote or permit a child marriage),9(a male adult (above 18 years of age) who contracts a child marriage )and section 10 (performs, conducts, directs,or abets a child marriage)under Child marriage Restraint Act,for further investigation.
The incident occurred when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,during a review meeting with the district administrative heads,expressed concern over the growing child marriage incidents in the state and directed the officials concerned to take strict action .
Mr.Siddaramaiah also warned strict action against the officials concerned if they failed to take action.
Even the Director General and Inspector General of Police and city police chief while assuming their positions,said that priority will be given on crime against women and children and assured strict action.
According to the complaint by Pundalik,member of District child line,said that based on the information provided,he along with his team went to the Neelasandra mosque to verify.
The Mosque head refused to provide details and said that the procedure has been taken as per the customs of the Muslim community .
Mr.Pundalik said that going by the details in terms of video and photographs provided to them,it was evident that the girl is minor under the age of 18 and marriage or any kind of preparations for the marriage is liable for the prosecution.
Mr.Owais speaking to the reporters,alleged that the police have delayed taking action to ensure the safety of the victim.
He demanded strict action should be taken against the accused whose names are missing in the FIR,despite providing all the details.
The police even failed to provide a copy of the FIR which was obtained later after approaching the court, he said .
Mr.Owais in his complaint alleged that Sujath Ali,Mir Khaim,who are members of the Waqf board and Azaan Jafri and parents of both the girls and the boy are responsible for solemnising the marriage and legal action should be initiated against them.
He further requested the police to rescue the girl and subject her to medical examination as she is suspected to be pregnant .
The victim and the boy was caught red handed and the parents with the consensus agreed for the marriage .
