Girl’s age falsified in missing complaint in Gwalior:Found in Noida; official records reveal she was underage victim of child marriage

The young woman who went missing 15 days ago from the Bahodapur police station area of Gwalior, whom the police were searching for assuming her to be an adult, turned out to be a minor after being recovered. Upon checking the documents, her age was found to be 17 years. During interrogation, it was also revealed that she had been secretly subjected to child marriage. Considering the matter serious, the High Court has directed the police to register an FIR against those who conducted the child marriage within 15 days. Went missing from home on 12 June On 12 June, a resident of Sagartal Phase-2 had filed a complaint at Bahodapur police station stating that his 19-year-old daughter had gone missing from home. The police registered a missing person report and started searching for her. Recovered from Noida, truth revealed in documents With the help of surveillance, the police recovered the young woman two days ago from Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida), Uttar Pradesh. She was found with Kishan Khatik, a resident of Bahodapur. The police took the accused into custody and brought him to Gwalior. During the court appearance, when the girl’s marksheet and birth certificate were examined, it was found that she was not 19, but 17 years old. Revelations in counselling During counseling, the girl stated that her father had married her off at a young age against her will. She did not want to live with her husband and in-laws. For this reason, she left home with her neighbor Kishan. High Court issued strict instructions The girl’s father had earlier filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court, accusing the police of negligence. After the girl’s recovery and the information about child marriage came to light, the High Court has directed the Bahodapur police to take action against all responsible persons involved in the child marriage within 15 days. Youth sent to jail, now parents and husband will face action Police registered a case against Kishan Khatik under sections of kidnapping and POCSO Act and presented him in court, from where he was sent to jail. Now the police are investigating the role of the girl’s parents, alleged husband, in-laws, and others involved in the child marriage. A separate FIR will be registered against them under the Child Marriage Prohibition Act. Bahodapur police station in-charge Alok Parihar said that the girl recovered from Noida is a minor according to documents. The investigation has confirmed child marriage. Legal action is being taken against those who conducted the child marriage as per court directives.