Child marriage

The Child Marriage Restraint Act,1929, aimed at preventing the solemnisation of child marriages. It lays down the punishment for solemnisation of child marriages. Section 3 provides that a male between the ages of eighteen and twenty one years who enters into a child marriage shall be punished with a simple imprisonment of a term of fifteen days or fine upto one thousand rupees or both. Section 4 provides that a male above the age of twenty one years shall be punished with a simple imprisonment of three months and also fine. Section 5 provides the same punishment for solemnisation of child marriage. Section 6 prescribes the same punishment for the parents or guardians of the minor if they solemnise a child marriage or fail to prevent a child marriage from taking place. However, the Act prohibits women from being punished. Section 7 makes the offences under the Act cognizable in nature.
The Child Marriage Restraint Act has not been effective in preventing child marriages as it does not carry enough punitive result. Further, there is no social movement or awareness, specially in the rural areas to end child marriages.