Man gets custody of minor wife

The custody of a minor girl, who got married against the wishes of her parents, has been given to her husband by a Delhi court which directed the special home where she was staying to release her.
District and Sessions Judge Ina Malhotra allowed the plea of Vijender Singh, husband of the over 16-year-old-girl, seeking custody of his wife who was sent to remand home after her parents refused to accept her.
The girl was also not ready to go with them.
"Both the minor girl as well as mother of the husband are present in court. This court has ascertained the wishes of the minor girl. She has categorically stated that she wants to stay with her husband.

"The applicant's (husband) mother is also present in court and has fully endorsed the same. This court has also inquired about the financial status of the applicant who is a tailor by profession and has stated that he earns Rs 15,000 per month and can financially support his wife," the court said.
"Given the fact that the minor is 16 and a half years of age and has time and again reiterated that she has got married to the applicant to her own volition, it would in order for this court to direct her release from the Special Home and entrust her custody to her husband," the judge said.

Singh had got married to the girl last year when she was 15-and a half-year-old and a kidnapping case was registered against him by the minor's parents.

The girl had told a sessions court that she had married Singh of her own will and wanted to reside only with him. Singh was sentenced to imprisonment already undergone in jail and a fine of Rs 2000 was imposed on him by the court.
When the minor had refused to go with her parents who too declined to keep her, the court had sent her to a remand home.
Singh then moved the Child Welfare Commission(CWC) for her custody.

CWC declined the plea, saying she was minor and recorded that there was no proof of their marriage.