16-year-old UP girl calls child helpline to stop her marriage to 25-year-old Saudi Arabia-based man

LUCKNOW: A 16-year-old girl in Ballia district prevented her own child marriage by calling the Child Helpline (1098) after learning that her family had arranged her wedding with a 25-year-old man working in Saudi Arabia.The incident occurred in a village under Bairia area, where the marriage was scheduled for ​T​hursday.On Tuesday, the girl,​ contacted the helpline, informing officials that she was underage and her wedding was approaching.Acting on her complaint, district probation officer Amarendra Kumar Pautsayan constituted a team comprising officials of the women and child development department and representatives of Navbharti Nari Vikas Samiti.With assistance from Suremanpur police, the team reached the village and intervened.During counselling, the girl's father cited financial difficulties and his disability as reasons for arranging the marriage. Her mother works at a nearby factory.While her parents agreed to cancel the wedding, the groom's family initially resisted, citing distributed invitations and social embarrassment.Following counselling about legal consequences under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, both families agreed to cancel the wedding and signed undertakings against marrying her before the legal age.The girl, who has completed high school, wishes to continue her education.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.