Child Marriage Persists in Tripura: 50-Year-Old Man Arrested Under POCSO for Marrying 12-Year-Old Girl in Sonamura
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, June 18, 2026
Despite sustained efforts by the district administration, Child Welfare Committee, Childline authorities and law enforcement agencies to curb child marriage, the practice continues to pose a serious challenge in several parts of Tripura's Sepahijala district.
In a shocking case that has sparked concern among child rights activists, a 50-year-old man has been arrested and sent to judicial custody for allegedly marrying a 12-year-old girl. The accused, identified as Soban Mia, a resident of Sonapur village under Sonamura Police Station, was apprehended by police on Tuesday night following specific information regarding the illegal marriage.
According to police sources, Soban Mia was produced before the Special POCSO Court in Sonamura on Wednesday. The court rejected his bail plea and ordered that he be remanded to judicial custody. The minor girl was also brought before the court for recording of her statement as part of the ongoing investigation.
Investigators revealed that the marriage reportedly took place nearly two years ago when the girl, a resident of Barkhola locality under Banshpukur Gram Panchayat in Jatrapur police station area, was only 12 years old. She is presently around 14 years of age.
Sources said the girl was too young at the time to fully comprehend the meaning and implications of marriage. The case has therefore been registered under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which criminalizes sexual relations involving minors irrespective of marital status.
Police and CWC inquiries further revealed that this was allegedly the third marriage of Soban Mia, who earns his livelihood through farming. According to local sources, his previous two marriages ended after the women reportedly left the matrimonial home due to alleged physical and mental harassment.
The accused has a son from his first marriage, and notably, the son is reportedly older than the minor girl whom Soban Mia allegedly married as his third wife. No children were born from his second marriage.
The incident has once again highlighted the persistence of child marriage in rural pockets of Tripura despite repeated awareness campaigns and strict warnings from authorities.
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