Gujarat High Court’s intervention has helped calm the concerns of a 14-year-old girl from Gandhinagar who left her home to live in Rajasthan after her father and uncle pressurised her to get married. The HC was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by the girl’s father and sought assurance from the latter that he will not scold or punish the girl for leaving home. The court also directed the father to ensure proper education for the child. It also deputed a child welfare officer to supervise the upbringing of the girl. The girl’s father has assured the court of his cooperation.
The teen went missing from her home in Gandhinagar on October 4, following which her father lodged a missing complaint with the local police. He later filed a habeas corpus in the HC after the cops failed to trace his daughter.
Eventually, police traced the girl to Rajasthan. She told the court that she did not want to go with her parents as they were forcing her to marry. The court then sent the girl to the Nari Sanrakshan Gruh, warning her father and uncle that they could face legal action for child marriage.
The father then filed an undertaking assuring the court that he will educate the girl, treat her with love and provide for her welfare and other needs. The court also asked the father not to physically or mentally harm the teen or scold her for running away from home.
