Maharashtra Prevents 1,246 Child Marriages in 2024–25 (Up to January), Marking a Sharp Rise from 187 Cases in 2018–19
Image Source: The Hans India (Representative Image)
NAGPUR: Maharashtra has seen a 566% rise in the number of child marriages prevented over the past six years, increasing from 187 in 2018–19 to 1,246 by January of the 2024–25 financial year, according to data from the Women and Child Welfare Commissionerate, Mumbai, obtained via an RTI query.
Although the spike in numbers may seem alarming, officials credit the jump to heightened public awareness and prompt action by citizens and authorities, rather than a rise in the actual occurrence of child marriages.
In 2018–19, Kolhapur recorded the highest number of interventions (37), while Nagpur reported none. Beed led the following year with 36 cases, with Nagpur again showing zero. However, from 2020–21 onwards, the Nagpur division began reporting cases—11 initially, rising to 13 by January 2024–25, reflecting improved reporting mechanisms.
Districts like Solapur and Beed consistently reported the most cases during the six-year span. Solapur led in 2020–21 (68 cases) and 2021–22 (70 cases), while Parbhani ranked highest in 2022–23 and 2023–24 with 113 and 159 cases, respectively. Beed topped the list once more in the current year with 187 cases by January. Most high-reporting districts were located in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pune divisions.
The majority of these incidents occurred between March and June, aligning with school holidays, the wedding season, and Akshay Tritiya—a festival commonly associated with child marriages. The Konkan division consistently reported the fewest cases, crossing 50 only once in 2021–22.
Districts such as Ahmednagar, Nashik, and Kolhapur have been proactive, regularly filing FIRs and taking action. In the Nagpur division, most cases were reported from Wardha and Chandrapur. On average, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division registered the highest number of foiled marriages annually.
A Women and Child Welfare Department official said, “The main reason for the increase in reported cases is growing awareness. While child marriage still persists in some communities, especially in rural areas, more people are coming forward to report suspected cases. They now know they can call 1098, and our team will respond immediately.”
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