OKHALDHUNGA, Jan 5: Police have arrested two minors in Okhaldhunga on the charge of practicing child marriage.
Uttam Khatri, 16, and an 18-year-old girl of Champadevi Rural Municipality were taken into police custody. Khatri is a tenth grader while the girl is a ninth grader at a local school. Suresh Thapa, the chief of Champadevi-7 had complained with police that the two tied the nuptial knot although they have yet to reach the age of marriage.
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Police inspector Rajiv Shrestha of the District Police Office (DPO) informed that the two have been kept in custody for interrogation.
The arrested minors however told police that they are in love but have yet to marry. Inspector Shrestha further informed that their parents were also called to the office to understand the case better.
Police are investigating to find out whether the arrestees have tied the knot or not. As per the new civil code which came into effect since August 17 last year, marriage between people under 20 years of age is illegal. Anyone found marrying without reaching the marriageable age faces a three-year jail term and a fine of Rs 30,000.
