Kolkata, September 7 (Daily Kiran) : The West Bengal government has announced stringent measures to combat child marriage and adolescent pregnancy. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that any husband whose wife becomes a mother before turning 18 will face legal action under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The state government will take automatic cognizance of such cases.
During a media briefing, Adhikari remarked, “West Bengal has gained notoriety for child marriage and motherhood among girls under 18. The previous Trinamool Congress government is responsible for this situation. Therefore, we will initiate strict legal action against the husbands of underage mothers under the POCSO Act. The government will file FIRs in these cases. Offenders could face up to 20 years in prison and will be denied access to government schemes and social welfare benefits.”
The Chief Minister also announced that action would be taken against priests or qazis who conduct marriages for minors, as well as the parents involved. He revealed that between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2026, nearly 60,000 girls under 18 became mothers in the state. Murshidabad district recorded the highest number, with 12,847 underage mothers, followed by South 24 Parganas, where 4,178 girls became mothers before reaching adulthood. This data was provided by the state health department.
Adhikari emphasized that the Indian Penal Code (BNPS), 2023 contains provisions for preventing child marriage. He noted the alarming number of cases, stating that the state lacks sufficient jails to accommodate all offenders. However, he assured that arrests will be made, as the government is determined to eradicate this social evil. A larger campaign addressing this issue will be launched in the coming days.
The Chief Minister affirmed that the government will enhance awareness and legal actions to prevent child marriage and early motherhood.
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