Child marriage: Girl moves court, files annulment petition

<g data-gr-id="17">Santadevi</g>, who decided to annul her marriage which was solemnised in her infancy, on <g data-gr-id="18"><g data-gr-id="26">Wednesdasy</g></g> moved a family court to file for an annulment petition.

“I was little scared while coming to the court as my in-laws threatened me this morning that they would not let me reach the court. They told me that they would take me away forcibly with the help of villagers,” she said.

The court, while allowing the petition, has issued summon to the woman’s husband Sanwalaram, as he did not accompany her and has listed the matter for May 25. “I have trust in court,” she said tersely.

The caste panchayat of her village Rohichan Khurd in Luni tehsil of Jodhpur had not only threatened to ostracise the family but also slapped a penalty of Rs 16 lakh, if she proceeded with <g data-gr-id="20">annulment</g>. “I am with my daughter and want to see her happy. I want her to study further,” said Padmaram, her father. “Now, we are preparing to file a case against the members of panchayat and community for harassing Santa and abetting the child marriage,” said Kriti Bharti of <g data-gr-id="21">Saarathi</g> Trust, who has been assisting her in annulment.