The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Panel takes action to invalidate a marriage

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Saturday, May 24, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Panel takes action to invalidate a marriage

Staff Reporter

— Photo: R. Ashok

Rapid action: K. M. Ramathal, Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women, addressing a seminar in Pudukottai on Friday.

PUDUKOTTAI: The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women has initiated action to invalidate a marriage solemnised under duress of a bride with a physically-disabled ‘pujari’ at Udumalpet.

Inaugurating an awareness seminar on ‘Domestic Violence Act and Protection of Women’ held here on Thursday, the Chairperson of the Commission, K.M. Ramathal, explained the circumstances under which the bride of Udumalpet, a graduate in engineering discipline, had been duped by a ‘pujari.’

The bride, Ms. Ramathal said, had contacted over telephone seeking some remedy for her love failure with a youth. The ‘pujari’ had allegedly threatened her that she should marry him (pujari) as he had seen her naked even during the telephonic conversation. The marriage was solemnised in the presence of the relatives of the ‘pujari.’

The Commission swung into action to invalidate the marriage after the matter was brought to its attention.

“We have seized the video recordings of the marriage; we have also obtained a legal declaration from the ‘pujari’ to the effect that he would desist from causing any threat to any girl in future” Ms. Ramathal said.

‘Pujari’ spared

The Commission, however, spared the ‘pujari’ of any further legal action, taking into consideration his severe physical-disability and consequent incapability for a married life.

“The limbs below the hip are totally numb,” she said.

Appealing to the women present on the occasion to be fearless to protect their rights, Ms. Ramathal explained the provisions of the Act safeguarding their interests.

The Superintendent of Police, P. Moorthi, emphasised the need for gender sensitisation as a lasting solution to bring about socio, economic and even political uplift of women.

The Domestic Violence (Prevention) Act had been brought out after a careful study.

The Collector D. Uthirakkumaran, who presided over the function, appealed to the police officials present on the occasion, to take immediate action to resolve domestic-violence-related offences.

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