The Bombay High Court on Monday asked the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit detailing what steps it has taken towards preventing the solemnisation of child marriages in the state. A division bench of Justices Amjad Sayed and Abhay Ahuja noted that there are hardly any cases registered in the state related to child marriage offences.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that raised issues related to child marriages in Maharashtra and non-implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCA). The Act prohibits solemnisation of marriage of a boy who is less than 21 years of age and a girl who is less than 18 years old.