Kolkata, September 09: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a major statewide crackdown on child marriage following the reporting of nearly 60,000 institutional deliveries involving girls below the age of 18 during the first six months of 2026.
The decision was announced after a Cabinet meeting at Nabanna on Monday. Addressing the media, Adhikari said the state administration would launch house-to-house drives to identify cases of underage marriage, pregnancy and childbirth.
The government plans to coordinate the exercise through the police, health and social welfare departments along with district administrations. Health department records relating to pregnancies and institutional deliveries involving minors will be examined to identify suspected cases of child marriage and initiate action where required.
According to figures cited by the Chief Minister, nearly 60,000 institutional deliveries involving girls below 18 were recorded between January 1 and June 30. Murshidabad reported the highest number, with 12,847 such cases, while South 24 Parganas recorded 4,178.
Adhikari said West Bengal currently has a serious challenge involving marriages and childbirths among girls below the legal age and stressed that every case involving pregnancy or delivery by a minor must be reported to the authorities.
Strict action against husbands and those facilitating marriages
The Chief Minister said men whose wives are found to have been married while underage could receive show-cause notices and may be asked to submit documents establishing their wife's age.
He warned that failure to provide valid age-related documents could lead to criminal proceedings.
"Police action will be initiated, and arrests will be made," Adhikari said, underlining the government's intention to take legal action in cases detected during the drive.
The administration will also consider withdrawing government welfare and other scheme-related benefits from people found to have participated in or facilitated child marriages.
Priests, qazis and other individuals involved in arranging, solemnising or facilitating marriages involving minors will also come under the government's scrutiny. Those found guilty could face imprisonment and financial penalties under the applicable laws.
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 provides for punishment, including imprisonment of up to two years and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, for those who promote, permit or conduct child marriages.
POCSO provisions to be enforced
Adhikari also said authorities would strictly apply the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in cases involving sexual relations with girls below 18.
The Chief Minister stressed that the legal age of consent is 18 and that marriage does not provide an exemption from the provisions of child-protection laws.
Cases involving pregnancy among minors will receive particular attention, with officials expected to examine such cases to determine whether an underage marriage or other offence has taken place.
Families and facilitators under scrutiny
The proposed campaign will extend beyond the couples involved. Families arranging underage marriages, husbands, intermediaries and individuals conducting the ceremonies could all face scrutiny and legal action.
The administration will rely significantly on health records to identify vulnerable cases and trace possible instances of child marriage.
The issue also carries historical significance in Bengal. Social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar played a major role in the 19th-century movement against child marriage and in promoting women's education.
Adhikari also alleged that the previous Trinamool Congress government had not shared adequate data on child marriages and underage childbirths with the Centre.
The state government has now directed its departments and district-level machinery to strengthen monitoring and ensure that cases involving child marriage are dealt with under the applicable legal provisions.
