'934 Weddings' in Uttar Pradesh: Minor Girl Married Off During Mass Wedding Ceremony in Pilibhit Under Government's 'Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana'; Five Booked
The complainant further said that she learned about her daughter being married off when she came to the village for her husband's last rites. She alleged that the accused forged her daughter's documents to hide her age.
Lucknow, May 24: In a shocking incident in Uttar Pradesh, a minor girl was allegedly married off during a mass wedding ceremony in Pilibhit. Police officials said the incident occurred on January 27 in Pilibhit during a mass ceremony called "934 weddings". The mass wedding ceremony was held under the Uttar Pradesh government's "Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana".
After the incident, the police booked five people in the matter. According to a report in the Times of India, the "934 weddings" took place in January this year, during which the 13-year-old girl was allegedly married off. On Thursday, May 23, Sanjay Kumar Singh, DM of Pilibhit, said that they will scrutinise the records of the wedding scheme under the district's social welfare department. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Man Slits Open Eight-Month-Old Pregnant Wife’s Womb to Check Unborn Child’s Sex in Budaun, Gets Life Imprisonment.
'934 Weddings' in Uttar Pradesh
Singh also said that strict action would be initiated against those found responsible. The alleged incident came to light when Sheetal Devi, mother of the Class VIII student, filed a complaint with SP Avinash Pandey against her late husband's two brothers, their wives and another person on Wednesday, May 22.
Acting on Devi's complaint, the police have booked five people under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. In her police complaint, Sheetal Devi said that last year in December, the accused people came to see her daughter after she sustained a fracture in her leg. She also told cops that they took her daughter with them.
Mother Learns About Daughter's Marriage
The complainant further said that she learned about her daughter being married off when she came to the village for her husband's last rites. She alleged that the accused forged her daughter's documents to hide her age. Devi also claimed the accused received Rs 35,000 in cash out of Rs 51,000 earmarked for each marriage under the government scheme. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Girl, Lover Detained for Killing Father With Blade, Hitting Brother With Hammer in Kannauj District.
Meanwhile, the district social welfare officer said the matter is being investigated as official directions seem to have been violated in the case.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 24, 2024 07:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).