NCRB Report: Child marriage cases increased sixfold in 2023, with 17,000 girls abducted for marriage

The report also stated that 6,038 cases were registered under this Act in 2023, a significant increase from 1,002 cases in 2022 and 1,050 cases in 2021. Of these, Assam registered 5,267 cases, making it the state with the highest number of cases.

New Delhi: The number of registered cases of child marriage increased sixfold in 2023 compared to the previous year. Assam alone accounted for nearly 90 percent of the total. This information was revealed in the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

According to this, 16,737 girls and 129 boys were abducted for forced marriage in 2023. The report also stated that 6,038 cases were registered under this Act in 2023, a significant increase from 1,002 cases in 2022 and 1,050 cases in 2021. Of these, Assam registered 5,267 cases, making it the state with the highest number of cases.

Other states with high numbers include Tamil Nadu (174), Karnataka (145) and West Bengal (118). Several states and union territories, such as Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Ladakh and Lakshadweep, reported no cases during this period.