Karnal, June 08: The case of a minor girl living with a young man in the Gharaunda area has taken a legal turn. Based on the statement recorded before the Child Welfare Committee, the police have registered a case against the accused youth under the POCSO Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and have initiated an investigation.
According to reports, the girl stated during counseling that she had left her home in Delhi around 2:00 PM on January 26. She then went away with the young man, and the two stayed near a railway station in Delhi for a few days. Later, on February 4, they arrived in Haryana and began living in the Gharaunda area. In her statement, the minor revealed that she had gone with the young man of her own volition and that they had married about two months ago. She also admitted to having had a physical relationship with him. However, she has now flatly refused to continue living with him and expressed a desire to return to her mother. On June 4, the police received information that a minor girl had been found under suspicious circumstances. She was subsequently produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Karnal. The Committee informed her family, conducted counseling, and recorded her statement. On June 6, the CWC wrote to the police, directing them to take legal action under the POCSO Act and laws regarding child marriage. Following this, the girl was sent to Shraddhanand Ashram for protective custody. The Gharaunda police have registered a case based on the complaint. Police officials state that all aspects of the matter are being investigated seriously, and strict action will be taken in accordance with the law based on the facts that emerge during the investigation.