In a shocking incident that has once again brought the grim reality of child marriage in Tripura into sharp focus, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly thrown out of her home by her parents after she refused to be wed to a 32-year-old man. The incident, which unfolded in the state’s Sepahijala district, has prompted swift intervention from child rights authorities, who are now providing care and seeking legal recourse for the traumatised teenager. The victim, who was also reportedly abused before being expelled from her home, is currently receiving medical attention at Bishalgarh hospital.
The disturbing details of the case came to light when the chairperson of the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TCPCR), Jayanti Debbarma, took cognisance of the matter. During her visit to the victim at the hospital, the girl, in a state of distress, recounted the harrowing ordeal. She disclosed that her father had forcibly driven her and her 10-year-old sister out of their Uttar Brajapur home after she firmly opposed the arranged marriage. The two sisters, left with nowhere to go, sought refuge at their grandmother’s house, where the elder girl’s health deteriorated, leading to her hospitalisation.
The incident is particularly alarming given the disturbing trend of child marriage in Sepahijala district, a region bordering Bangladesh that has become a hotspot for such cases. Official data reveals a staggering 103 reported cases of child marriage in the district between April and June 2025 alone. The TCPCR and local authorities are now working in tandem to ensure the safety and well-being of the girls, with Debbarma confirming that an investigation is underway and legal action will be initiated against the parents if found culpable. Plans are also being made for the girls’ relocation to a government-run home or hostel for their protection.
In a strong move to hold the perpetrators accountable, District Child Protection Officer Sonai Saha has stated that a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act will be registered against the parents. Furthermore, in a step towards securing the older girl’s future, the Child Welfare Committee is making arrangements for her to be admitted to a boarding school in Sonamura once she has recovered. The incident underscores the urgent and pressing need for a more robust enforcement of child protection laws and a concerted effort to combat the deeply rooted issue of child marriage that continues to plague parts of Tripura.