Patna: In a unique initiative, the Gender Resource Centre (GRC) of Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), along with an NGO, has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Patna high court, seeking effective implementation of legal and judicial safeguards to curb child marriage and adolescent pregnancy in Bihar.The petition highlights the continued prevalence of child marriage despite legal prohibitions and the Supreme Court’s 2024 directions in the Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action vs. Union of India case, which laid down a comprehensive framework to prevent the practice and strengthen institutional responses.The PIL, filed by GRC director Ayushi Dube and NGO co-founder Shaswat, says Bihar continues to record one of the highest child marriage rates in the country despite sustained policy efforts and multiple govt schemes.It cites the recently released NFHS-VI data, which shows that 34.6% of women aged 20-24 in Bihar were married before turning 18. Though lower than 40.8% recorded in NFHS-5, the figure remains well above the national average.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai and Justice Soni Shrivastava heard the matter. Advocate general Satya Darshi Sanjay sought time to obtain instructions from the state govt. The court posted the matter for further hearing on Aug 19.
