Conducting a Child Marriage

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Conducting child marriages is also a crime:

Conducting the Marriage: Anyone who performs or helps in performing a child marriage will be committing a crime.

Parents/Guardians conducting marriage: If a parent, guardian or any person responsible for a child in any capacity, promotes child marriage or participates in conducting a child marriage, then they will be committing a crime. Attending or participating in a child marriage is also a crime.

Anyone who is convicted of committing these crimes will be punished with rigorous imprisonment for two years along with a fine of one lakh rupees.

All offences under this law are cognizable and non-bailable, which means that the police can arrest you without a warrant and bail will not be granted to you as a matter of right.

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Related Resources

How can minors marry under Christian Law?

Under Christian law, a minor is defined as someone below the age of 21 years, and is not a widow or widower.

Reporting Child Marriages

Anyone can file a complaint of child marriage, including the child. It doesn't matter whether the child marriage has taken place or not.

Prohibition of Child Marriage

The law prohibits people from performing child marriages and lays down punishments for those involved in conducting the marriage.

Who can get married under Christian Law?

Any two persons who are Christians can marry under Christian law. However, there are some minimum age requirements and prohibited marriages.

Child Marriage Prohibition Officers

Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CPMO) are appointed by the State governments to curb issues of child marriages in each State.

Cancelling a Child Marriage

Where a child marriage has taken place, the person who was a child at the time of marriage has an option to cancel the marriage.