In Wada, Palghar, a case involving a 16-year-old girl from the Katkari tribe has revealed a disturbing child marriage and trafficking racket that preys on impoverished tribal families. Married at 14 for Rs 50,000, the girl was forcibly trafficked as a ‘wife’ and later kicked out by her husband and in-laws after giving birth to a daughter. Her husband and a local accused of brokering the deal were arrested by Wada police following intervention by activists, who ensured an FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and anti-trafficking laws was registered against six individuals.

Two more girls from the same village had allegedly been sold earlier. Poverty, lack of education, and hunger make these girls easy targets for such trafficking. Ground-level officials, such as gram sevaks, police patils, anganwadi, ASHA workers, and PESA mobilisers, must be investigated for failing to prevent breaches of the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006.