The Supreme Court has directed the Ministry of Women and Child Development to file a status report detailing steps taken by it to execute the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
The apex court was hearing a plea filed by the NGO 'Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action' which argued that the Act was not being enforced in letter and spirit.
A bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice P S Narasimha, and Justice J B Pardiwala urged the Centre on Thursday to ensure the appointment of child marriage prohibition officers in every district and directed it to specify the policy steps it has taken for enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
Though Additional Solicitor General of India Senior advocate Madhavi Divan submitted that the bill raising the marriage age for women from 18 to 21 was pending before the Standing Committee, the bench noted that this would still not address the issue of implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
The bench then directed the Ministry of Women and Child Development to file an updated status report specifically elucidating the steps taken to implement the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, reported Live Law.
It also sought the centre to submit the data collected from various states bearing on the nature and extent of child marriages.
The apex court also sought the policy formulated by the Union government to effectuate the purpose of the Act. "The Union of India should also engage with the State governments in order to apprise the court on the compliance by states of the provision of Section 16(3) for the appointment of the child marriage Prohibition officer. Affidavit shall also clarify whether the officer so appointed or given other multifarious duties," the court said.