Under the guise of marriage, girls are sexually harassed and forced to leave studies: Delhi HC

Under the guise of marriage, girls are sexually harassed and forced to leave studies: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court addressed the concerning rise in kidnappings of young girls, highlighting how these incidents often involve sexual harassment masked as marriage proposals. This unfortunate reality leads these girls to abandon their education and miss out on career opportunities. Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma's bench emphasized that such actions not only harm individuals but also inflict profound damage on the fabric of our society as a whole.

Expressing concern, the Court observed that the disturbing fact in the entire episode is that the convicted appellant had persuaded the minor victim to leave her studies, run away and marry him, even though he was already married and had two children. There were children. The court also said that it was extremely worrying that the minor was of young age and due to the crime she had to leave her studies.

While upholding the conviction of the accused, the court said that education has been recognized as a fundamental pillar in the discussions related to empowerment of women. However such incidents force a girl to leave her studies and the concept of empowerment is compromised. Due to this, the society at large has to suffer the consequences. With the above remarks, the court rejected the petition of the appellant Tasleem Ali, who was convicted of rape and under POCSO.

The court rejected the appellant's plea that the victim girl was below 18 years of age. The court said that education acts as a thread for social progress and such incidents that force people to leave studies break this thread. The court also said that such incidents have consequences not only at the individual but also at the social level.

Appellant Mohammad Tasleem Ali was convicted by the trial court for kidnapping and rape of a 14-year-old girl and was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. The court had found that despite being married and the father of two children, he had married the minor victim. The victim had told that she and the accused were living in a rented house after changing their names and creating fake identities on her request. The victim had also accused Tasleem of having physical relations without her consent.

 

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