NEW DELHI: The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights(NCPCR) has approached the Supreme court aganist the verdict that a Muslim girl can marry once they attain puberty. The Commission stated that the ruling is against POCSO Act and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and demanded a clarification.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had ruled that Muslim girls over 16 years of age or who have attained puberty can marry according to religious customs. Also, the Delhi High Court recently declared that under Muslim law, a girl who has attained the age of puberty could marry without the consent of her parents. POCSO act will not be applicable in this. But the NCPCR states in the petition that marriage of a girl before turning 18-years of age is a violation of the POCSO Act. In some places the marriage is conducted without even asking the permission of the girl. There is no special legal protection for their married life. Therefore, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights has requested the Supreme Court to take action against this under the POCSO Act.