New Delhi | The Supreme Court on Friday held that the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act cannot be stunted by personal laws and that marriages involving children violate the free will to have a life partner of choice.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also issued a slew of guidelines for effective implementation of the law on prevention of child marriages in the country.
Reading out the judgement, the CJI said the law on prevention of child marriages cannot be stunted by the personal law.
Such marriages are violative of minors' free will to choose life, it said.
The authorities must focus on child marriage prevention and protection of minors while penalising offenders as a last resort.
The bench also noted that the law on Prohibition of Child Marriage has certain gaps.
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 was enacted to prevent child marriages and ensure their eradication from society. The Act replaced the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929.
"Preventive strategy should be tailored to different communities, the law will only succeed when there is a multi sectoral coordination. Training and capacity building of the law enforcement officers needs to be there. We emphasise that there needs to be community driven approaches," the bench said.
You may also like
Death in Paradise star teases return to BBC drama - but makes one demand
'I decided I had to quit Arsenal after family meeting - I had to be happy again'
SC closes habeas corpus plea of father against Sadhguru's Isha Yoga Centre
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'new home' so close to key royal it 'could mend rift'
Ayushman Bharat Yojana Eligibility: Before getting an Ayushman card, definitely check the eligibility, the method is very easy