7 Child Marriages Prevented in Udaipur District; Two Injunction Orders Issued Under Child Marriage Prohibition Act

Udaipur: A significant and exemplary action has been taken against child marriage in Udaipur district, where two proposed child marriages involving minors were not only stopped in time but were also legally prohibited through court-issued injunction orders. This step is being seen as a major intervention in preventing child marriages in the district.

Information was received about proposed child marriages involving three minors in Ghasa Gram Panchayat of Mavli tehsil and one minor boy along with three minor girls in Fatehnagar. After verifying the information, a joint team comprising Just Rights for Children Alliance, Gayatri Seva Sansthan, District Legal Services Authority, District Child Welfare Committee, and police teams from Fatehnagar and Ghasa reached the spot on April 23.

During the investigation, it was found that all seven children were studying in local schools and were between 12 and 17 years of age. Immediate action was taken, and notices were issued to the families, restraining them from conducting the child marriages.

Despite this, reports emerged that preparations for the marriages continued under the Dabok police station area, ignoring prior warnings. Considering the seriousness of the situation, an application was submitted to the court with the support of the District Legal Services Authority and the Child Rights Department. Acting on this, the Mavli court issued an injunction order on April 24, 2026, legally prohibiting the proposed marriages.

This order is the first judicial injunction issued in the district this year under child marriage prohibition and sets a strong precedent for future cases. Following this, the families were summoned to the court and strictly bound again, with affidavits taken to ensure compliance.

Key officials involved in the operation included Kuldeep Sharma (Secretary, District Legal Services Authority), K.K. Chandravanshi (Assistant Director, Child Rights Department), Yashoda Paniya (Acting Chairperson, District Child Welfare Committee), Dr. Sangeeta Rao (Member), and representatives from Just Rights for Children Alliance and Gayatri Seva Sansthan, including Nitin Paliwal and Payal Kaneria. Shankar Bhoi from Child Helpline and police teams from Dabok and Fatehnagar also actively participated.

Child rights expert and former member of the Rajasthan State Child Commission, Dr. Shailendra Pandya, stated that the injunction order issued under Section 13(1) of the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006, is highly significant. It not only protects children’s lives but also demonstrates that legal intervention against child marriage is becoming more effective and stringent. Such actions send a strong message that child marriage is unacceptable under any circumstances.

Kuldeep Sharma, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, expressed concern over the persistence of child marriage in Udaipur, stating that education and social evils cannot coexist, and education remains the most effective tool for eradication.

Experts believe that if local institutions remain vigilant and proactive, incidents of child marriage can be prevented at an early stage, ensuring a secure future for children.

Strong Message Against Child Marriage

This action not only successfully prevented potential child marriages but also demonstrated that coordinated efforts between administration, judiciary, and social organizations can effectively curb this social evil.

The district administration has appealed to the public that if any information regarding child marriage is received, it should be immediately reported to the toll-free National Legal Aid Helpline (15100), Child Helpline (1098), police, or concerned authorities. The identity of the informant will be kept confidential.