Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929

Civil192916 sections

This Act sets a legal minimum age for marriage to protect children from exploitation. It defines a child as a male under twenty-one years and a female under eighteen years of age. The law applies throughout India and to Indian citizens living abroad. It punishes adults who marry children, those who perform or direct such marriages, and parents or guardians who allow or fail to prevent these unions. By criminalizing these practices, the legislation seeks to safeguard the rights and well-being of minors and promote social reform by ending the harmful tradition of child marriage.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 1. Section 1 : Short title extent and commencement --
  2. 2. Section 2 : Definitions --
  3. 3. Section 3 : Punishment for male adult below twenty one years of age marrying a child --
  4. 4. Section 4 : Punishment for male adult above twenty one years of age marrying a child --
  5. 5. Section 5 : Punishment for solemnising a child marriage --
  6. 6. Section 6 Punishment for parent or guardian concerned in a child marriage --
  7. 7. Section 7 : Offences to be cognizable for certain purposes.
  8. 8. Section 8 : Jurisdiction under this Act -
  9. 9. Section 9 : Mode of taking cognizance of offences --
  10. 10. Preliminary inquiries into offences --
  11. 11. --
  12. 12. Power to issue injunction prohibiting marriage in contravention of this Act --
  13. 13. Child Marriage Prevention Officer.-
  14. 13A. Child Marriage Prevention Officer appointed under the Act to be public servant.-
  15. 13B. Protection of action taken in good faith.-
  16. 14. 14. Power to make rules.-

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