Bhubaneswar, April 27: In a shocking incident from the state capital, a child marriage was foiled in the Mancheswar area after members of a social organisation intervened and rescued a minor girl.

According to reports, a 17-year-old girl from Chakeisiani was married to a 35-year-old man from Nayagarh at a local temple on Sunday. After the ceremony, the groom’s family was allegedly taking the minor away when members of the Ruchika Social Service Organisation intercepted the vehicle near Sai Temple in Chakeisiani.

Acting on information, a team led by district coordinator Shibani Nayak, along with members Harapriya Pati, Ajay Maharana and Ghanashyam Bhoi, stopped the vehicle and alerted the police. Upon arrival, Mancheswar police brought both the bride and groom to the police station.

A complaint has been lodged by the organisation. The groom has been detained, and police have launched an investigation into the incident.

The minor was later produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and subsequently shifted to a short-stay home.

The incident has raised serious questions about the role of the temple authorities, especially as the government has enforced strict laws prohibiting child marriage and declared religious institutions as child marriage-free zones.

Ruchika’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Benudhar Senapati, said an inquiry is underway to ascertain how the marriage was allowed to take place.