13-Year-Old Weds 40-Year-Old Man  News24 –

An unusual marriage from Telangana has sparked outrage among activists and parents. A 13-year-old girl has allegedly been married off to a 40-year-old man. The case was reported to the police by a teacher at the girl’s school.

Police have taken necessary action in the case and have charged the man, his wife, the priest who performed the rituals, and a mediator who helped organize the union in Nadnigama, 55 km from Hyderabad, as reported by NDTV.

Pictures of marriage were widely circulated on social media, showing a Class 8 student holding a garland and standing in front of the 40-year-old Srinivas Goud of Chevella Mandal. They are seen beside a woman, along with the priest.

Child marriage ends childhood and puts children at high risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse. Such acts severely impact a child’s right to education, health, and protection. Child marriage is regarded as one of the most serious crimes against children, and can be registered as an offence under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.