Hyderabad police stopped an alleged child marriage involving a 17-year-old girl in Kalapather in the Old City and rescued her from the premises, according to Deccan Chronicle, which cited police officials. A case was registered under the child marriage law against the alleged groom, the mediator and the girl’s parents.
Kalapather Sub-Inspector Shiva Kumar Reddy and Task Force Sub-Inspector Mahesh raided the premises after receiving information about the marriage, the report said. The police intervened before the ceremony could proceed and informed child marriage helpline officials.
The alleged groom was identified as Arif Ali Baig. Kalapather Inspector Mohammed Khaleel Pasha clarified that Baig was a resident of Falaknuma and was working as a cab driver in Dubai. He was not a person from Dubai, as had apparently been described in the initial information, the inspector said.
Pasha also said Baig possessed an Indian passport issued on January 13, 2023. The report did not provide further details about the sections invoked beyond identifying the case as being registered under the Child Marriage Act.
The girl was subsequently rescued and later joined a degree college to continue her studies, according to the report. The police action brought together local policing, the task force and child marriage helpline officials in response to information about the proposed ceremony.
The case has been registered against Baig, mediator Shaheen and the girl’s parents. Further legal proceedings will determine the allegations against those named in the case.
