Madhubani: A case of child marriage has come to light in Bihar’s Madhubani district after villagers intervened and handed over a newly married couple to the police. The incident occurred late on Tuesday night near Bhagwanpur village, under the Rajnagar police station area. Local residents stopped a tempo carrying the couple after suspecting that the bride was a minor, showing quick action that helped prevent further harm.
Police said the girl is about 15 years old and belongs to a village in the Rajnagar area. The groom has been identified as Lalji Jayanti Bhai Devganiya, a resident of Somnath district in Gujarat. According to reports, the tempo stopped near a petrol pump, where an argument broke out between the groom and a middleman over the payment made to arrange the marriage. The loud argument attracted villagers, who gathered and questioned those involved.
During the discussion, villagers learned that the marriage had allegedly been arranged for Rs 50,000. Realising that a minor was involved, they immediately surrounded the vehicle and called the police through the Dial 112 emergency service. Police reached the spot soon after and took the groom, the minor girl, her mother and others into custody for questioning.
A case has been registered at the local police station under relevant sections related to child marriage and trafficking. The groom has been sent to judicial custody, while the minor girl was produced before the court to record her statement and later sent to a girls’ correctional home for protection. Police said the girl’s mother admitted that the marriage was arranged due to financial greed. Investigations are continuing to identify all those involved, highlighting that child marriage remains a serious issue despite strict laws.
