Bangalore: The Bangalore police are clueless about how to respond to the complaint lodged by a woman whose 20-year-old son has married a 32-year-old sanyasin.
Following the wedding on Monday, Ratnamma lodged a complaint against Nivedita with the Chitradurga police under the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929.
Police officers at the station say that while the Act does prescribe punitive action against a man who marries a minor, it is silent on a situation where a woman marries a man who is below the permissible age for marriage.
"I am not sure what exactly we can do," admits Labhu Ram, superintendent of police, Chitradurga. "Ratnamma has given us documents to prove her son is a minor. We are, however, yet to obtain the marriage certificate. For the time being, I can tell you the investigation is on."
Following the wedding on Monday, Ratnamma lodged a complaint against Nivedita with the Chitradurga police under the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929.
Police officers at the station say that while the Act does prescribe punitive action against a man who marries a minor, it is silent on a situation where a woman marries a man who is below the permissible age for marriage.
"I am not sure what exactly we can do," admits Labhu Ram, superintendent of police, Chitradurga. "Ratnamma has given us documents to prove her son is a minor. We are, however, yet to obtain the marriage certificate. For the time being, I can tell you the investigation is on."
Ratnamma had earlier lodged a case of kidnapping against Nivedita. She accused Nivedita of abducting Chetan, who later clarified that he was with Nivedita by choice.
"After we recorded Chetan's statement, Ratnamma lodged a fresh complaint that alleges that her son is below the permissible age for marriage. We are deliberating on what steps we can take," said Labhu Ram.
Ratnamma is reportedly in a big hurry to get the marriage annulled as Chetan turns 21 in another eight months. Chetan's driving licence and transfer certificate is in possession of MiD DAY and confirmed that he is less than 21-years-old. The certificate mentions his age as February 1, 1990.
"I am ready to move the High Court if the police fail to act on my complaint ," said Ratnamma.
However, the police say Ratnamma is unlikely to achieve much.
"There are no stringent laws to punish the accused in such cases," said H S Chandramouli, the state public prosecutor. "Since the boy will turn 21 within a year, it should not be a serious case," he added.
