Law Notify : Justice P. Sam Koshy of the Telangana High Court said that Panchayat secretaries, Anganwadi teachers, ASHA workers and members of Self-Help Groups must actively help prevent child marriages, ensure children get proper nutrition and spread awareness about the safety of women and children. He was speaking at an awareness programme on the protection of women and children held in Kamareddy on Saturday.

Justice Koshy, who is also the Executive Chairman of the Telangana State Legal Services Authority, said child marriage is a crime. He explained that marriages involving girls below 18 years and boys below 21 years are illegal. He warned that strict action will be taken against parents, elders and middlemen who arrange such marriages. He also said child marriage harms the health, education and future of girls.

He asked people to report child marriage cases to Childline 1098 or inform the authorities. He stressed that stopping child marriage and protecting women and children is a shared responsibility of society. He also spoke about laws like the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the POSH Act and explained how legal services authorities support victims.

Justice Nandikonda, Administrative Judge for Kamareddy district, highlighted the need to spread awareness about laws related to child marriage and women’s safety.

On the occasion, posters on important laws were released. Certificates were given to children rescued from child marriages, teachers and volunteers who worked on awareness programmes. Wheelchairs were given to senior citizens and sewing machines to women beneficiaries. A police cultural team also performed a short play to spread awareness.