TIRUCHY: A 14-year-old girl has been forced to marry a 41-year-old man by the minor’s parents recently in the district.
The whereabouts of the girl, who is said to be seven months pregnant, was concealed by her parents and the person who married her, in order to escape legal action. The teen was the second wife of the man.
S Usha, district social welfare officer (DSWO) said Chelladurai (41), who was already married and has a daughter, married the girl with the support of her parents - Thurairaj and Dhanakodi - a few months back at the Samayapuram temple.
“We were informed about the marriage by Chelladurai’s first wife, who filed a complaint with us on November 28. Later, our officials went to Keelapallam village in Musiri taluk and conducted an inquiry.
“After confirming the child marriage, on December 6, along with T Jayanthi Ranee, member, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, we initiated legal action and demanded to know the whereabouts of the girl. But her parents refused to produce the child before us,” said the district social welfare officer.
On December 8, based on a complaint from Usha to rescue the minor, a case was registered against the girl’s husband and parents by the All Women’s Police Station, Musiri, under section 366A of the IPC and sections 9, 10 and 11 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
“The girl’s parents tried to conceal her marriage and pregnancy from the police and social welfare officials. But during investigations, the police confirmed it and registered a case against Chelladurai, Thurairaj and Dhanakodi on December 13. In a bid to escape legal action, Chelladurai has absconded with the girl,” said State commission member Jayanthi Ranee.
The Musiri police arrested Thurairaj on Saturday night and have launched a manhunt to arrest the other two accused Chelladurai and Dhanakodi.