During the hearing on Child marriage, Supreme Court said that addressing child marriage requires an intersectional approach especially when dealing with girl child. Supreme Court was delivering judgment on PIL alleging rise in child marriages in the country.
SC said that Prohibition of Child Marriage Act cannot be stunted by personal laws and that marriages involving children violate the free will to have a life partner of choice.
The hearing was led by bench comprising Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
SC stressed that the authorities as a last resort should focus on child marriage prevention and protection of minors while penalising offenders.
The Supreme Court has also issued guidelines for effective implementation of the law on the prevention of child marriages in the country.
Child marriage is a punishable offence with strict imprisonment, which may extend to 2 years, or with fine up to Rs. 1 Lakh, or both.