Child Marriage in Telangana: 13-Year-Old Girl Rescued from Forced Marriage to 40-Year-Old Man

A 13-year-old Class 8 student from Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district was rescued this week, shining a harsh light on the ongoing problem of child marriages in the state. The girl, forced into marriage with a 40-year-old married man named Srinivas Goud, found help after confiding in her school principal, who immediately notified the authorities.

The illegal marriage occurred on May 28, 2025. The girl’s mother, reportedly under financial distress, sought a match for her daughter through a local landlord. A mediator arranged the union, and a priest conducted the ceremony at a nearby temple. After being forced to live with her new in-laws, the girl returned home, removed her wedding symbols, and went back to school, where her teacher learned of her situation.

Officials from Integrated Child Development Services, the police, and child protection agencies acted promptly. Five adults including the girl’s mother, Goud, the priest, and facilitators were arrested and charged under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. The girl has been placed in a Sakhi Centre, receiving support and counseling.

Sexual relations with a minor are prosecutable under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. In India, the legal marriage age is 18 for women and 21 for men. Telangana has reported at least 44 cases of child marriage this year, a reflection not only of poverty but also social pressures and fear of elopement. Despite government efforts and awareness campaigns, such incidents often remain hidden until vigilant community members intervene.

The state government continues to strengthen enforcement while urging local authorities to educate communities about the illegality and harm of child marriage. This case highlights the urgent need for persistent vigilance, decisive action, and societal change to shield vulnerable children from forced marriages and the trauma they inflict.