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How to stop a child marriage and report it under the PCMA 2006

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Found out about a child marriage? Use the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 to stop it safely via Childline 1098 or the District Child Protection Unit.

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10 min read
#child marriage prohibition act 2006#report child marriage india#childline 1098 anonymous#pcma section 13 injunction#child marriage prohibition officer#district child protection unit#legal age of marriage india#stop child marriage playbook

The Situation

Imagine you are back in your hometown for a semester break. You hear that a girl from your old tuition class—who just finished her 10th boards—is getting married next week. Everyone in the neighbourhood says it is a "family matter" or "for her safety" because her parents are getting old. But she is clearly 15 or 16. You want to help, but you are worried about the backlash from the community or whether the police will actually take you seriously. This is not just a social issue; it is a serious legal violation where you have the power to intervene anonymously and change the trajectory of someone's life.

What the law actually says

The primary law governing this is the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006. Despite various discussions about raising the age of marriage, as of 2024, the legal age remains 18 for women and 21 for men.

According to Section 2(a) of the PCMA, a "child" is any female who has not completed 18 years and any male who has not completed 21 years. Any marriage where even one party is a child is defined as a "child marriage" under Section 2(b).

Here are the heavy-duty legal points you need to know:

  1. Punishment for Adults: Under Section 9, any male over 18 years of age who contracts a child marriage can be punished with rigorous imprisonment for up to 2 years, or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, or both.
  2. Punishment for Abetment: Section 10 targets those who perform, conduct, direct, or abet any child marriage (this includes priests, caterers, or even relatives attending). They face the same 2-year imprisonment and ₹1 lakh fine. Parents or guardians who permit or fail to prevent the marriage are also liable under Section 11.
  3. Injunctions: This is the most powerful tool for prevention. Under Section 13, a Judicial Magistrate First Class or a Metropolitan Magistrate has the power to issue an injunction (a stay order) to prohibit a child marriage before it happens.
  4. Cognizable and Non-Bailable: Under Section 15, all offences under this Act are cognizable (police can arrest without a warrant) and non-bailable. This means the law treats child marriage with the same urgency as serious violent crimes.
  5. Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs): Under Section 16, the State Government appoints CMPOs. Their job is to prevent marriages, collect evidence for prosecution, and advise the local community. They often work within the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).

If the marriage has already happened, it is "voidable" under Section 3, meaning the person who was a child at the time of marriage can petition the court to declare the marriage null and void within two years of reaching adulthood (i.e., by age 20 for women).

Step-by-step playbook

  1. Verify and Gather Information

    You do not need a birth certificate in your hand to report, but having specific details makes the intervention faster. Try to find out:

    • The full names of the girl and the boy.
    • Their approximate ages or which class they are studying in.
    • The exact date, time, and venue of the wedding or engagement.
    • The names of the parents or guardians.
    • What to bring: If you have access to a wedding card, a social media post, or a school ID photo, keep a digital copy.

  2. The Anonymous Reporting Route (Highly Recommended)

    If you want to stay out of the spotlight to avoid family or community drama, use Childline India: 1098.

    • What to do: Dial 1098 (toll-free, 24/7). Tell the operator you want to report a planned child marriage.
    • What to say: Give them the details gathered in Step 1. Explicitly state if you wish to remain anonymous.
    • Expected Timeline: Childline usually coordinates with the local police and the DCPU within 2–4 hours for an immediate rescue or intervention.

  3. Contact the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU)

    Every district in India has a DCPU. They are more specialised than the regular police in handling sensitive cases involving minors.

    • What to do: Search for "DCPU [Your District Name]" or "Child Welfare Committee [Your District Name]". You can find these on your state's Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) portal (e.g., wcd.nic.in or the state-specific site like wcd.delhi.gov.in).
    • Expected Timeline: Once a formal complaint is received, they are required to investigate immediately.

  4. Filing an FIR or a Police Complaint

    If the wedding is happening imminently (e.g., tonight), call 112 or go to the nearest police station.

    • What to do: Ask to file an FIR under Sections 9, 10, and 11 of the PCMA 2006. If the police are hesitant, remind them that under Section 154 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), they are duty-bound to record information about a cognizable offence.
    • Related Resource: See our guide on How to file an FIR (and what to do if police refuse).
    • What to bring: Your ID and any evidence (photos/wedding cards) you have.

  5. Pushing for a Section 13 Injunction

    If you have a few days before the wedding, you (or the CMPO/DCPU) can approach the local Magistrate.

    • What to do: The CMPO usually handles this, but a concerned citizen or an NGO can also move the court. The Magistrate can issue an order to the parents and the groom's family to stop the wedding immediately.
    • Expected Timeline: Injunctions can be granted within 24–48 hours in urgent cases.

  6. Ensuring Post-Rescue Safety

    Stopping the wedding is only half the battle. The child might face abuse at home for "shaming" the family.

    • What to do: Ensure the child is produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The CWC has the power to move the child to a shelter home or a "fit person" (like a supportive relative) if the home environment is unsafe.
    • Follow-up: Check in with the DCPU after a week to ensure the child is enrolled back in school or has access to counselling. For mental health support during this transition, refer to Mental health helplines (iCall, Vandrevala, NIMHANS).

    If you are a student in a college where you face harassment for speaking up against such issues, you should also be aware of POSH at workplace and college protocols to protect your own safety and rights.

    Browse all civic-action playbooks

Where it usually breaks

Stopping a child marriage is rarely a straight line. Even with the law on your side, you will likely hit these three specific roadblocks:

  1. The "Samajik" Pressure Trap: Local police or even the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer (CMPO) might try to "settle" the matter by just talking to the parents. They often accept a verbal or written promise from the parents saying, "We won't do it," and then leave.

    • Workaround: Do not settle for a "settlement." Insist on a formal Injunction Order under Section 13 of the PCMA. This is a court order that legally forbids the marriage. If the marriage happens after an injunction, it is automatically void (invalid), and the parents can be jailed immediately.

  2. The Age Fraud: Families often produce a fake horoscope or a certificate from a local religious head to "prove" the girl is 18.

    • Workaround: Under the Juvenile Justice Act and Supreme Court guidelines, a school-leaving certificate or a birth certificate from the Municipal Corporation/Panchayat carries more weight than a religious document or a medical age-estimation test. If the authorities are wavering, ask them to verify the age through the girl's Aadhaar (linked to birth records) or her Class 10 marksheet.

  3. The Venue Shift: Once you report, the family might move the wedding to a different district or perform it in a private house at 2 AM to avoid the police.

    • Workaround: This is why you must involve the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The CWC has the power to take the child into "protective custody" if there is an imminent threat of marriage. If you suspect the family will flee, tell the 1098 operator or the DCPU that "the child is at risk of being moved" and request an immediate rescue.

Templates & scripts

Copy, fill in the [highlighted] bits, and send.

Script for calling 1098 (Childline) or 112 (Emergency)

"Hello, I want to report a child marriage that is scheduled to take place on [Date] at [Time]. The girl is approximately [Age] years old and studies in Class [Number]. The venue is [Exact Address/Landmark]. I am reporting this under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. I wish to remain anonymous for my safety. Please provide me with a reference number for this complaint."

Email template for the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU)

Subject: Urgent Intervention: Child Marriage Scheduled for [Date] - [Village/Area Name]

To: [Find the email of your District Magistrate or DCPU on your state’s WCD portal]

Body: Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to formally report an upcoming child marriage in violation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006.

Details of the Minor:

  • Name: [Name, if known]
  • Estimated Age: [Age]
  • Father’s/Guardian’s Name: [Name]
  • Address: [Full Address]

Details of the Event:

  • Date and Time: [Date/Time]
  • Venue: [Specific Marriage Hall/Temple/House]

Under Section 13 of the PCMA, I request you to move the Hon’ble Magistrate for an immediate injunction to stop this marriage. I also request the CMPO to visit the location and ensure the safety of the minor.

Please treat this as an urgent formal complaint. I wish to remain anonymous as per the provisions of the JJ Act.

Regards, A concerned citizen.

RTI Template (If no action is taken)

If you reported a marriage and it still happened, use this RTI to hold officials accountable. "1. Provide the certified copy of the Action Taken Report (ATR) on the complaint regarding a child marriage at [Location] on [Date]. 2. Provide details of the CMPO who was assigned to this case. 3. State whether an injunction order under Section 13 of the PCMA was sought from the Magistrate. If not, provide the reasons recorded in writing."

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I report a marriage if I am not 100% sure about the girl's age?

Yes. You do not need to be a forensic expert. If you have a "reasonable suspicion" that the girl is under 18, it is your civic duty to report. The responsibility to verify the age lies with the CMPO and the police, not you. You cannot be prosecuted for a "false" report if you acted in good faith.

2. Will the girl be sent to a "jail-like" shelter home if I report?

No. If the girl is rescued, she is produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). They decide what is best for her. Usually, she is sent to a **Children's Home** (registered under the JJ Act) only if her home environment is unsafe. These are transition spaces where she gets counselling and education support, not punishment.

3. What if the marriage has already taken place? Can I still do something?

Yes. You can still report it. Under **Section 15 of the PCMA**, the police can arrest the adults involved even after the event. Furthermore, the girl has the right to file a petition to declare the marriage "void" (null) under **Section 3** at any time until she turns 20.

4. Does this law apply to all religions in India?

Yes. The Supreme Court of India has clarified (notably in *Independent Thought vs. Union of India, 2017*) that the PCMA is a secular law. It overrides personal laws. No matter the religion of the parties, marrying a girl below 18 is a criminal offence.

5. What happens to the "groom" if he is also a minor?

If the boy is also under 21, he is considered a "child" under this Act. He cannot be jailed in a regular prison. Instead, he would be dealt with under the **Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015**, and might be sent to a "special home" for reformation rather than rigorous imprisonment.

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How to stop a child marriage: PCMA 2006 reporting guide · HowToHelp