Daijiworld Media Network - Kalaburagi (SP)

Kalaburagi, Aug 7: A middle-aged man from Gujarat, who tried to get away after marrying a minor, was arrested by the police, thanks to an alert co-passenger, who suspected the bride to be under-aged.

The 15-year-old girl from Islampura in Basavakalyana taluk in Bidar, was married by Bharat Bhai (40) from Chaman Nagar in Gujarat on August 3. On Wednesday, Bharat Bhai had planned to reach the town from Bidar in a bus and then to leave for his hometown by train from here.

But, a co-passenger in the bus, who observed this couple, suspected that the bride was not of marriageable age. He immediately tipped Child Helpline 1098 about the development. Children Welfare Committee members, Anandraj and Vittal Chikani, along with some others, drafted a plan to rescue the girl in consultation with Child Helpline. Bharat was taken into custody as soon as he reached the railway station here with his bride.

The rescued girl has been sent to children's rehabilitation centre. A case was registered in women's police station. The case has been transferred to Basavakalyana. There are suspicions that this may be a modus operandi of a gang skilled at trafficking of young girls.