E-Paper
Centre to examine anomalies in definition of child: SC told
The Centre told the Supreme Court that it was examining the issue of removing the anomalies in the definition of a child in various existing laws which were coming in way of checking the menace of child marriage.
The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that it was examining the issue of removing the anomalies in the definition of a child in various existing laws which were coming in way of checking the menace of child marriage.
It said the Child Marriage Restraint Act has been repealed with the new law and the issue has been taken care of.
"I have recieved some documents and I will go through them and file an appropriate response," Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising said before a Bench comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam and AK Ganguly which adjourned the matter for four weeks.
During the hearing, advocate Aparna Bhat said the new legislation The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, which got the President's assent in Janaury 2007, did not completely address the concern over child marriage.
Earlier last year, the apex court was told that the Law Commission was examining anomalies in the definition of child in various existing laws.
The National Commission for Women and the Delhi Commission for Women had said there were anomalies in the definition of child.
They contended that the variance in age in different Acts to define a 'minor' or a 'child' was coming in the way of dispensation of justice, particularly in cases of girls below 18 years marrying after eloping with adult male.
