Kasaragod: In a child marriage case reported from Kasaragod district, the Chandera police have registered a case against four people, including Imam Rahmatullah, in connection with a ceremony held at the Azhikkal Juma Masjid. Those booked include groom Shabir Sheikh (28) of Edachakai Badar Nagar, the girl’s father PK Tajuddin, a member of the Padanna Grama Panchayat and secretary of the Edachakai Azhikkal Juma Masjid, and Imam Rahmatullah of the Juma Masjid.
The case emerged after an inspection by the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, who confirmed that a child marriage involving a 16-year-old girl had occurred.
A detailed report was submitted to the Hosdurg First Class Magistrate Court, while a separate report was handed over to the District Child Line. Authorities stated that further steps would be taken to prevent such violations, as child marriage is prohibited by law. Officials indicated that legal action may also be extended to others involved in the ceremony. These include the girl’s father, P.K. Tajuddin, who serves as the Secretary of the Azhikkal Juma Masjid, and Imam Rahmatullah, who is associated with the mosque. The ceremony, described as a ‘Kanath Kalyanam,’ was conducted in the presence of relatives and committee office bearers after the minor girl was brought to the venue.
The issue first came to light after local residents filed a complaint with the Kasaragod Child Line, alleging that the mosque committee secretary had conspired to arrange a child marriage. Acting on this, the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer under the District Child Welfare and Development Department initiated an inquiry.
During the investigation, it was found that the committee of the Mahal where the sixteen-year-old girl resides had refused to conduct the marriage because documents proving her age could not be produced. As a result, the marriage was shifted to the groom’s hometown in Edachakai, where the ceremony was eventually carried out.
Conflicting claims and demand for probe
The ‘Kanath Kalyanam’ was performed on April 13 at the Azhikkal Juma Masjid under the guidance of Imam Rahmatullah. The official report clearly stated that a child marriage had taken place at the location, reinforcing the findings submitted to both the Magistrate Court and the District Child Line. Despite these findings, the Chandera police have stated that no written complaint has yet been directly filed with them regarding the ceremony. However, they confirmed that criminal proceedings would be initiated once a formal complaint is received from Child Line district authorities.
The District Child Protection Officer reiterated that Child Line would pursue further action to prevent child marriage and ensure compliance with the law.
Meanwhile, the case has sparked concern over the handling of the investigation. High Court lawyer and public activist Adv. Kulathur Jaisingh has written to the Chief Secretary, calling for a high-level police probe into the incident. In his letter, he alleged that there is an attempt to destroy evidence and criticised the current police investigation as being conducted in a manner that protects the guilty.
He has demanded that a comprehensive inquiry be carried out by a specialised police team and that strict legal action be taken against all those involved.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the persistence of child marriage practices in parts of Keralam, despite legal prohibitions and enforcement mechanisms aimed at curbing such violations.
