Shocking Revelations From Panchmahal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Isudan Gadhvi Italia has raised serious concerns about a suspected trafficking and marriage registration scam in Gujarat. In a representation to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Italia alleged that in some villages of Panchmahal district, the number of registered marriages has exceeded the total population of the village, pointing towards large-scale fraud.

Alleged Role of Local Officials

According to Italia, local Talatis (village-level officials) have played a questionable role in this racket.

• In one case, a Talati allegedly registered 1,800 marriages.

• He also claimed that officials accepted bribes to register marriages, even when the bride was a trafficked girl.

Italia highlighted a disturbing example where a girl from Sabarkantha was taken away and married off, with a Talati in Amreli accepting money to approve the registration.

Exploiting Loopholes in Marriage Law

The MLA explained how traffickers are exploiting a legal loophole:

• Many girls are abducted as minors but officially married immediately after turning 18, the legal age for women.

• Registrations are often completed within days or weeks of the girl’s 18th birthday.

To curb this, Italia suggested:

• Raising the legal marriage age for girls from 18 to 21.

• Making marriage registration valid only in the girl’s home village, verified with address proof.

Growing Suspicion of Trafficking Networks

Italia alleged that an organized mafia may be behind these suspicious marriages. He claimed that abducted young women are being:

• Trapped and transported to far-off villages.

• Forced into marriages through corrupt registration practices.

• Given false protection by officials who overlook the fraud.

He warned that the situation represents a major conspiracy against vulnerable girls, demanding urgent government action.

Call for Strict Government Action

The AAP MLA urged the Gujarat government to take immediate steps to:

• Investigate fraudulent marriage registrations.

• Take legal action against Talatis and officials involved.

• Strengthen laws to protect minor and young women from trafficking and forced marriages.

Conclusion

The shocking allegation of more marriages than people in Gujarat’s Panchmahal district has raised alarms about a possible trafficking racket disguised as legitimate marriages. With suspicions of mafia involvement and local officials’ complicity, Italia has demanded strict state-level intervention to protect girls from this exploitation.