The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its judgment on a PIL of an NGO seeking due implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, alleging a rise in child marriages in the country. Despite the Centre’s claims that state-specific programmes such as training and awareness campaigns are being undertaken, the top court said, "These programmes, lectures do not change things on the ground".

Before reserving the verdict, the bench, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, heard submissions from the petitioner NGO's counsel and Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who represented the Centre. 

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“It is not about prosecution only. Prosecuting persons involved in child marriages will not resolve the problem as it has social dimensions," the bench said and asked the counsel for both sides to give suggestions on a way forward to deal with the issue. "We are not here to criticise anybody. This is a social issue," the CJI said and asked the law officer to apprise what steps the government took to address the issue. 

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court that there have been no reports of child marriage in any of the five states and union territories, including Dadra Nagar Haveli, Mizoram, and Nagaland. Based on data, the law officer stated that there has been a noticeable improvement over the past three years. She said that 29 of the 34 states and union territories had submitted statistics on child marriages.

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Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati also emphasised that there was no data available on convictions in child marriage cases, adding, "That data is not here. We can get it. But please see, there is a lot of improvement. There is a 50 per cent reduction in cases of child marriages compared to 2005-06." "We have to work towards the wholesome education of young girls and women. That is how one-half of the population will be able to contribute as national builders and get out of this social evil," the law officer said, as quoted by news agency PTI. 

Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the Ministry of Women and Child Development to file a status report mentioning in detail steps taken by it to execute the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.

The Union of India should also engage with the State governments in order to apprise the court on the compliance by states of the provision of Section 16(3) for the appointment of the child marriage Prohibition officer. Affidavit shall also clarify whether the officer so appointed or given other multifarious duties," the apex court had said.