Pune: Swift Action by Child Welfare Officials, Police Prevent Child Marriage of 16-Year-Old Girl in Lohiyanagar

Pune, 27th April 2026: Swift action by officials of the Child Welfare Department and police helped prevent the child marriage of a 16-year-old girl at a marriage hall in Pune’s Lohiyanagar.

The marriage was scheduled to take place at Bhavsar Mangal Karyalaya in Lohiyanagar. Officials said Khadak Police received confidential information about the proposed ceremony, which was later confirmed through Child Helpline 1098.

A verification was immediately completed, during which documents related to the girl’s age were examined. The inquiry established that the girl, a resident of Ghorpadi Peth, was a minor.

Based on the findings, police and officials from the Women and Child Development Department stopped the marriage before it could be solemnised.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of District Women and Child Development Officer Rohini Dhawale, Child Development Project Officer for Pune city Sudhir Dhakane, and District Child Protection Officer Mangesh Jadhav. Authorities said Monica Jadhav, supervisor with District Child Help, Pune, continuously followed up on the case.

Members of the Child Welfare Committee, Pune, also assisted in the intervention. Anganwadi workers, helpers and social worker Surekha Kamble were present during the action.

Officials counselled the girl, her family members, relatives and guests present at the function hall, informing them that marriage below the legal age of 18 is prohibited.

They also warned that those involved in organising or facilitating child marriage could face action under Sections 9, 10 and 11 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

District Child Help coordinator Ali Akhtar appealed to citizens to immediately report suspected child marriages by calling the toll-free Child Helpline number 1098.

Authorities said prompt information from the public can help protect children and prevent such unlawful practices.