HAMIRPUR: Two cases of child marriage have surfaced in the Nadaun subdivision of Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, after the girls, both pregnant, reached a hospital for treatment. Hospital authorities discovered their minor status through Aadhaar cards and promptly informed the police.
In the first case, a girl of migrant background, who married a local youth in the Nadaun area, claimed she was 19 years old. However, her Aadhaar card revealed her age as 17 years and 8 months. In the second case, another girl of migrant origin, also pregnant, was found to be only 15 years old as per her Aadhaar records. She too had married a migrant man.
Both girls reportedly told authorities that their actual age is above 18 years and the discrepancy was due to errors in documents. This claim has added complexity to the investigation, requiring police to verify their real age through birth certificates and school records along with the validity of the marriages.
The hospital administration fulfilled its legal duty by immediately reporting the matters to Nadaun police station. Cases have been registered under the POCSO Act in both instances, as marriage and sexual relations with minors constitute serious offences under Indian law.
Hamirpur Superintendent of Police Balbir Singh said, “FIRs have been registered in both cases and investigation is underway. Police are examining all aspects, including verification of the girls’ actual age, circumstances of the marriages, and the role of involved persons.”
