The wife of a police head constable attached to the Oomachikulam police station was among the four persons arrested on Friday in Melur for arranging the marriage of a minor girl.
According to police sources, Rani, the mother of a 16-year-old girl, and Ravichandran, vice president of Arithapatti village, were arrested for arranging the marriage of the former’s daughter with the latter’s son.
However, invitees at the ceremony intervened and urged the police to release those arrested as the marriage had been stopped. Sources said that based on a tip-off, Superintendent of Police V Balakrishnan directed the Melur police on Friday to take action against the organisers.
The parents reportedly told police that the ceremony was only a betrothal function. Inspector Esther said, “The girl was in bridal attire. Further, it’s illegal to organise the betrothal of a minor girl.” Police then registered cases against Ravichandran, his mother Azhagammal, uncle and Rani under sections 9 and 11 of the Prevention of Child Marriage Act.