Marriage of 16-year-old girl in Kasaragod: Panchayat member and Usthad among those booked

KASARAGOD: The police have registered a case against four individuals, including a religious cleric (Usthad), for conducting a child marriage. The incident took place at the Azheekal Juma Masjid in Kasaragod, involving the marriage of a 28-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl.

The Chandera Police booked the groom, Shabir Sheikh (a resident of Badar Nagar, Edachakai); the girl’s father; P.K. Tajuddin (a Padanna Grama Panchayat member and secretary of the Edachakai Azheekal Juma Masjid); and Rahmathullah, the Usthad of the Juma Masjid.

The groom, a resident of Padanna Panchayat, is an expatriate. The wedding ceremony was conducted on April 13 under the leadership of the Usthad. Locals reported the matter to the Kasaragod Childline, alleging that the mosque committee facilitated the child marriage. Subsequently, an investigation was carried out under the leadership of the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer from the District Child Welfare Development Department, leading to the police filing the case. The District Child Protection Officer stated that further legal actions would be taken regarding the matter.

Notably, the Mahal committee in the girl's locality had previously refused permission for the wedding as they were unable to produce documents proving her age. Following this refusal, the marriage was conducted in the groom's locality.