From police protection to criminal penalties for offenders, this guide explains your legal rights under the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, BNS, POCSO, and more.
00:01She was reportedly forced into marriage and then allegedly killed her husband.
00:06But if you're an Indian citizen and someone, anyone, is forcing you into a marriage,
00:11what are the options you actually have?
00:18Just last week, a 16-year-old girl fled her home after being forcibly married to an abusive older man.
00:24Thankfully, the Supreme Court stepped in with police protection.
00:28Forced marriages are making headlines.
00:30But what does Indian law actually say?
00:32First of all, marrying a girl under 18 or a boy under 21 is illegal across all religions
00:38under the Prevention of Child Marriage Act.
00:41For adults facing a forced marriage, your right to choose your partner is a fundamental right protected by law.
00:48You can directly approach the police for protection or seek help from the Human Rights or Women's Rights Commission.
00:54If an adult woman is kidnapped or threatened into marriage, offenders face up to 10 years in jail under Section 87 of the BNS.
01:03And for minors, the laws are even stricter.
01:06Under the Child Marriage Act, the BNS, the POCSO and Juvenile Justice Act, anyone, family, friends, teachers, neighbours can file a police complaint against child marriage.
01:16The adult husband, both sets of parents or anyone involved in arranging and solemnising the marriage face up to 2 years jail plus fines.
01:26If the minor girl is forced into having sex, the husband faces 10 years under POCSO and up to life imprisonment under BNS rape laws.
01:36Family members could also be charged for abetting rape.
01:39But what if the marriage has already happened?
01:41Remember, child marriages after 2006 are illegal and cannot be registered.
01:47A minor, whether boy or girl, can approach the police, a child marriage prevention officer or the district court to void, i.e. cancel the marriage.
01:56And maintenance must be paid by the husband's family to the girl and any children born from the marriage.
02:02Remember, the minor girl is also entitled to safe accommodation and children born in these marriages are considered legitimate and have inheritance rights.
02:11The bottom line is, forced marriages are illegal.
