NAGPUR: There has been a 566% surge in child marriages prevented in the state in six years, with the number rising from 187 cases in the financial year of 2018-19 to 1,246 till Jan 2024-25, according to data shared by the women and child welfare commissionerate, Mumbai, in response to a query under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.While the rise may appear alarming at first glance, officials attribute it to growing awareness and timely intervention by citizens and authorities, not necessarily an increase in the practice itself.In 2018-19, Kolhapur reported the highest number of cases (37), while regions such as Nagpur saw none. Beed took the lead the following year with 36 cases, again with no reports from Nagpur. However, things changed from 2020-21, when the Nagpur division reported 11 cases followed by an increased rise in subsequent years. As of 2024-25 (till Jan), Nagpur had 13 cases, showing a marked shift in reporting.The highest number of child marriages foiled in a single district during the period came from Solapur and Beed. Solapur topped the state in 2020-21 (68 cases) and 2021-22 (70 cases). Parbhani topped the charts in 2022-23 and 2023-24 with 113 and 159 cases respectively. Beed once again topped the list in the current year, with 187 cases foiled till Jan. The number suggests a regional pattern, with districts in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pune divisions recording the highest count.March to June saw the highest concentration of such cases. These months coincide with school vacations and the traditional wedding season, along with Akshay Tritiya— the festival on which most child marriages take place. The data also shows the Konkan division reported the fewest cases over six years, crossing 50 cases only once—in 2021-22.Districts such as Ahmednagar, Nashik and Kolhapur have consistently filed FIRs and acted on cases. In Nagpur division, most interventions came from Wardha and Chandrapur. Across divisions, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has shown the highest average number of foiled marriages.Awomen and child welfare department official said, “One of the major reasons for the rise in foiled cases is increased awareness. There are still communities that believe in this evil ritual, but more people, especially in villages, are beginning to inform us when they suspect something. They know they can contact 1098 and our people will reach them.”(With inputs by Devyani Chaudhari)
