The Apex court of India has ordered the Union Government of India to file a status report in regards to the steps taken in order to implement the provisions of the prohibition of child marriage act.
The supreme court directed the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) to register an updated status of the data compiled from different states of the country exhibiting the nature and extent of child marriages; initiatives taken to effectuate the provisions of the prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, and the policy framed by the central government to accomplish the purpose of the act.
The order was passed by the bench embracing CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, Justice JB Pardiwala.
The Counsel for the petitioner briefed the Supreme Court about the Child Marriage system still prevailing in several parts of the Country. Furthermore the Solicitor General and Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan stated that a bill was pending before the Standing Committee since 2021, which was in context of raising the age of marriage from 18 years to 21 years for women.
However, the Apex Court noted that this would still not address the issue of implementation of the Act.
The bench further directed the government of India to indulge with the state government for the purpose of apprising the court on acquiescence by the states over the provision of section 16(3) in the prohibition of child marriage act 2006, which states the duties of the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, for the appointment of a Child Marriage Prohibition Officer. The court added that the affidavit should also elucidate whether the officer was appointed or given other multifarious duties and the matter was listed for July 2023.
(Case title: Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action and Anr vs UoI and Ors)
NAME- PRANJAL JHA, SEMESTER -2ND, COLLEGE- AMITY LAW SCHOOL NOIDA
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