Prosecuting people hasn't stopped child marriages; community-driven approach required: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India emphasized the need for a community-driven approach to prevent child marriages, stating that prosecuting individuals has not been effective. The court highlighted the gaps in the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) and called for multi-sectoral coordination and robust training for law enforcement officers. The court noted that the law should be tailored to suit different communities and that preventive strategies should be implemented. The judgment came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) regarding the implementation of the PCMA. The court issued guidelines to ensure the law’s objectives are met and directed the Women and Child Development Ministry to disseminate the judgment to all chief secretaries and the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) for implementation.