Why the Bombay High Court granted bail to a man accused of impregnating an underage fiancée

During the hearing, the girl’s father explained to the Court that both he and his wife suffered from serious health problems. His wife had a heart condition and he suffered from a brain disease. Fearing their untimely death, they arranged their daughter’s marriage at the age of 14 to secure her future. Tragically, the mother died shortly before the bail hearing, adding to the family’s distress.

The Court emphasized the parents’ intentions to protect their daughter from societal pressure and stated:

“They wanted to protect a daughter from the evil eyes of society. Under those compelling circumstances, they decided on the marriage between the applicant and the victim. This can be a real basis and affect the social structure of our country.”