UP teenager calls helpline to prevent marriage to Saudi Arabia-based man
A 16-year-old girl in Ballia district contacted the 1098 helpline to stop her wedding scheduled for Thursday.
A 16-year-old girl in a village under the Bairia area of Ballia district prevented her own child marriage by contacting the Child Helpline (1098) on Tuesday, according to The Times of India.
The teenager informed officials that her family had organised a wedding with a 25-year-old man employed in Saudi Arabia. The marriage was set to take place on Thursday.
District probation officer Amarendra Kumar Pautsayan formed a team including women and child development department officials and representatives from Navbharti Nari Vikas Samiti. The group intervened in the village with help from the Suremanpur police.
During counselling, the girl's father stated that his disability and financial problems led to the marriage arrangement. The girl, who has finished high school, intends to pursue further studies.
While the girl's parents agreed to cancel the ceremony, the groom's family initially objected due to social embarrassment and distributed invitations. After officials explained the legal consequences under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, both families agreed to the cancellation.
Both families have signed undertakings promising not to marry the girl before she reaches the legal age.
