‘Child marriage violates free will to choose partner’: SC believes ban cannot be hampered by personal laws

The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Child Marriage Prohibition Act cannot be interfered with by personal laws and that marriages involving children violate the free will to have a life partner of one’s choice.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also issued a slew of guidelines for the effective implementation of the Child Marriage Prevention Act in the country.

While reading out the verdict, the CJI said that the Child Marriage Prevention Act cannot be hampered by the law of persons.

Such marriages violate the free will of minors to choose life, the report said.

Authorities should focus on the prevention of child marriage and the protection of minors, while punishing offenders as a last resort.

The court also noted that the law on the prohibition of child marriage has certain gaps.

The Child Marriage Prohibition Act of 2006 was enacted to prevent child marriage and ensure its eradication from society. The law replaced the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929.

“The preventive strategy must be tailored to different communities, the law will only succeed if there is multi-sectoral coordination. There is a need for training and capacity building of law enforcement officers. We emphasize that a community-driven approach is needed,” the bank said.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)