Married at 12, suffered for 9 years, now freed from child marriage with support of Saarthi Trust

Jodhpur: Khushbu, who was married at just 12 years old and suffered for 9 years, has finally been freed from child marriage at the age of 21 on the occasion of Sanvat. With the help of Dr. Kriti Bharti, Managing Trustee of Saarthi Trust and a rehabilitation psychologist, her child marriage has been legally cancelled.

Judge Varun Talwar of Family Court No. 2, Jodhpur, gave the decision and sent a strong message against child marriage. After the judgment, Khushbu and her family had tears of relief and happiness.

Support from Saarthi became her strength: approached court 1.5 years ago

Khushbu, now about 21 years old, was forced into child marriage in 2016 in a rural area of Jodhpur district due to community pressure. She was only about 12 at that time. A few years later, her in-laws started pressuring her for gauna  (sending her to live with her husband), which made her depressed.

During this time, she learned about the child marriage annulment campaign run by Dr. Kriti Bharti of Saarthi Trust. Dr. Kriti provided her with legal help and emotional support. About one and a half years ago, with Dr. Kriti’s help, Khushbu filed a case in Family Court No. 2 to annul her child marriage.

Court decision: Child marriage is a serious crime, annulled immediately

In the court, Dr. Kriti presented all facts, including proof of Khushbu’s age and child marriage and the boy is still not 21 years old. The boy’s side argued that the marriage took place later when both were adults.

After hearing both sides, Judge Varun Talwar gave a historic decision and annulled the child marriage. The court clearly said that child marriage destroys both the present and future of children. Society must take strong steps to end this harmful practice. The judge also appreciated Dr. Kriti’s efforts.

Dr. Kriti has annulled 54 child marriages, prevented over 2200

It is notable that Dr. Kriti Bharti of Saarthi Trust got the first child marriage in India legally annulled. So far, she has cancelled 54 child marriages and stopped more than 2200.

Her work has become an example of change across the country. Her efforts have been recorded in World Records, Asia Book, and Limca Book of Records. CBSE has included her campaign in the Class 11 syllabus. She has received many national and international awards, including Marwar-Mewar Ratna, recognition in the World Top Ten Activists list by Taffd Magazine, and being listed among BBC’s 100 influential women.

They Says-

“I never accepted this child marriage. With the help of Dr. Kriti didi, I found courage, and today I got freedom. Now I will build my future.”

— Khushbu, Child Marriage Survivor

“Khushbu’s victory is not just hers, but a message for society. Every girl deserves her rights. We are now working on her proper rehabilitation.”

— Dr. Kriti Bharti, Managing Trustee, Saarthi Trust