Bengaluru: Police Probe Illegal Child Marriage at Mosque

Hindu Voice Team: Bengaluru has been rocked by shocking revelations of a 16-year-old girl allegedly being forced into marriage at a mosque in Anepalya, exposing once again the dark reality of child marriage that continues despite strong laws prohibiting it.

The incident reportedly took place on September 26, and an FIR was registered three days later at Ashok Nagar police station under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Officials say the girl was coerced by her own parents, raising serious questions about parental responsibility and community accountability.

Child rights advocates have condemned the incident as a gross violation of the law and of the girl’s dignity, stressing that sexual relations with a minor—even under the guise of marriage—amount to statutory rape under the POCSO Act. Allegations have also surfaced that the girl might be pregnant, making the case even more urgent and disturbing.

What makes this case particularly alarming is the alleged involvement of influential figures, including a member of the Waqf Board, as mentioned in the complaint filed by Advocate Hussain Owais S. Such complicity, if proven, would point to systemic failures that allow child marriages to flourish under religious cover.

Police have referred the case to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), assuring that the safety and protection of the girl is now their immediate priority. However, activists demand more than routine procedures—they are calling for swift arrests, medical protection for the girl, and accountability at the highest levels.

In a country where child marriage is outlawed, the fact that a minor could be forced into wedlock inside a place of worship is a chilling reminder of how vulnerable children remain to exploitation. Unless decisive and uncompromising action is taken, this case risks becoming yet another statistic in India’s battle against child marriage.