Tip-off by minor to NGO helps cops prevent 16-year-old's marriage twice
During a Bal Sabha meeting organised by CRY NGO, the girl reported that a 16-year-old from her community was being taken to Nashik for marriage.
CRY immediately alerted Childline (1098) and Mumbai police, who intervened and forced the family to return home.
Days later, though, the minor informant once again reported that the marriage was rescheduled. Prompt action by the NGO and Mankhurd police uncovered evidence of wedding preparations on the father's phone. The case was escalated to the child welfare committee (CWC), which took a written assurance (bond) from the family, mandated counselling, and ordered monthly status reports.
The NGO was assigned the girl's case for follow-up to ensure her safety, education, and well-being. TOI has a photograph of the wedding invitation card.
The case came to light after the informant learned that the 16-year-old resident of Mankhurd was being taken to Nashik for marriage. Alarmed, the young whistleblower approached the staff at CRY's Sathe Nagar Centre.
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They contacted Childline and alerted Mankhurd police.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Senior police inspector Madhu Ghorpade from Mankhurd police station took immediate action. Police tracked the girl's phone and confirmed she and her family were in Nashik, and a wedding was planned for the very next day. Before officials could intervene at the venue, news of the inquiry reached the girl's father through the grandmother, and he halted the wedding.
A few days later, the same vigilant girl informed the Bal Sabha of CRY that the marriage was rescheduled—this time with a 20-year-old man from Nashik.
The CRY team once again acted quickly. Childline and local police were notified. The girl and her father were summoned to Mankhurd police station. There, evidence on the father's phone revealed wedding invitations and voice messages exchanged with relatives. The police issued a strong warning and took a written undertaking from the father promising that the wedding would not go forward.
The next day, the girl and her parents appeared before the CWC. The father was asked to provide a formal assurance that the girl's marriage would not take place until she turns 18 and completes her education. "The family was also promised monthly status reports on the minor, counselling sessions for the girl, and reintegration into her education," said an official from CRY who was entrusted with her case, tasked with ongoing follow-ups to ensure the girl's well-being, safety, and return to school.
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