37 victims of child marriage become pregnant in Mysuru

MYSURU: As many as 37 children who were married before the marriageable age have become pregnant in Mysuru in the last 10 months, according to Child Helpline authorities.
FIRs have been filed against over a dozen families and the bridegrooms, on charges under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 and Pocso Act 2012, after the cases were referred to the Child Welfare Committee, a quasi-judicial body.

Officials in Child Helpline, which is now being managed by the department of women and child development, said Mysuru city and Mysuru taluk have reported the highest number of cases. Nearly half of the child marriage cases were reported from these places. A total 230 cases were registered in the last 10 months, of which 108 cases are from Mysuru city and Mysuru taluk alone.
Even the cases of pregnancy of minor children are the highest in Mysuru city. Of the total 37 children who were married before they reached 18 years, 15 cases were reported in Mysuru city, while Mysuru taluk recorded 14 pregnancy cases.
Raghu AS, coordinator for Child Helpline, said that they have found more cases in Mysuru city and Mysuru taluk. "We have come to know about these cases after the parents and relatives of the minor girl and bridegroom married them secretly. The pregnancy cases came to light when they sought medical assistance. There are cases where the pregnancy was detected after the girl's neighbours alerted the authorities. All these cases are referred to the CWC, which decides on initiating action against the relatives."
Raghu explained that through Child Helpline 1098, they have come to know of many cases. "All calls are directed to a centralised control room in Bengaluru, from where respective Child Helpline coordinators are tipped off about the cases, following which local officers are roped in for the raid or inspection," he said. He said that since September last year, the helpline is being managed by the department.
E Dhananjaya, who is a member of CWC, said that parents and relatives of the boy and girl are well aware that child marriage is prohibited and punishable, yet they continue to conduct such marriages for reasons best known to them. "Such marriages are organised during odd hours like late at night and in the pre-dawn hours. CWC has acted tough against such wrongdoers, by booking them under the Pocso Act and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. Some of them are still in judicial custody," he informed.
Awareness about Child Helpline and laws governing children are being created regularly, and wall paintings are maded at vantage points for the purpose, he stated.