Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai
Chennai, Jun 18: In a shocking revelation from Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district, authorities have uncovered at least six cases where families of underage girls allegedly tampered with Aadhaar card details to mask child marriages and avoid prosecution under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
The disturbing incidents, all reported from the Kelamangalam block over the past six months, came to light through the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) system, a digital platform used by the state health department to track pregnant women.
According to officials, the fraud was exposed when discrepancies emerged between Aadhaar-linked PICME records and the physical Aadhaar cards produced by the girls. In a particularly harrowing case, a 14-year-old girl, married to a 29-year-old man, visited the Nagamangalam Primary Health Centre in May to register her pregnancy. Her Aadhaar card falsely indicated her age as 20, but digital records correctly listed her as 14.
Upon inquiry, the minor and her husband admitted to altering the Aadhaar birth date for just Rs 200 at a local browsing centre in Denkanikottai. The revelation led to a cascade of further findings, with reports suggesting fake Aadhaar cards were being produced for up to Rs 500 at several browsing centres and photo studios in Rayakottai and Denkanikottai.
Alarmingly, a few health department staff have been accused of colluding in the scam. One health worker in Bettamugilalam panchayat has already been dismissed from service for aiding Aadhaar tampering.
Dr C. Rajesh Kumar, Kelamangalam Block Medical Officer, confirmed that an investigation team has been formed to inspect the implicated centres. “Village Health Nurses have been strictly warned against participating in such illegal acts,” he stated.
Dr G. Ramesh Kumar, District Health Officer, reiterated that all health staff will undergo sensitisation training to promptly report such violations. “No form of support towards child marriage will be tolerated,” he affirmed.
From April 2024 to March 2025, Krishnagiri district reported a staggering 545 teenage pregnancies. The highest cases were registered in Shoolagiri (81), Krishnagiri rural (72), and Kelamangalam (66).
District Collector C. Dinesh announced that a special task force will be constituted to crack down on Aadhaar manipulation and those involved in facilitating child marriages.
The revelations have sparked concern among child rights activists and healthcare professionals, highlighting the urgent need for stricter monitoring mechanisms and robust enforcement of child protection laws.