40-year-old man marries 13-year-old girl, first wife takes initiative; girl's mother among accused

HYDERABAD: A 40-year-old man has been arrested for marrying a Class 8 girl. The incident took place in Ranga Reddy, Telangana, on May 28, when Srinivas Gowda from Kandwada married the minor. Shockingly, it was Srinivas Reddy's first wife who reportedly took the initiative in arranging the second marriage. Police have also taken into custody the first wife, the girl’s mother, the mediator, and the priest who conducted the ceremony, under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.

The case surfaced when the girl confided in one of her school teachers about the incident. The teachers then informed the authorities, prompting the District Child Protection Department and police to step in and rescue her.

The girl had been living in a rented house with her mother and brother. According to police, her mother had expressed an interest in marrying off her daughter, after which a mediator arranged the wedding.

Child Protection Officer Praveen Kumar told national media that the rescued girl has been shifted to the Sakhi Centre. It was revealed that she had been living with Srinivas for the past two months following the wedding. Police have registered a case under the POCSO Act, among other charges, for forcing the girl into sexual relations. Authorities stated that 60 such cases were reported in Telangana last year, and 40 cases have been reported so far this year.