MP High Court: Directs Father Not to Marry Daughter Before 18 in Habeas Corpus Plea

In a significant ruling, the Madhya Pradesh High Court in India recently disposed of a father's habeas corpus plea for his missing 14-year-old daughter, issuing a stern warning against marrying her off before she attains the legal age of 18. The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Alpesh Y. Kogje and Justice Vivek Rusia, addressed the petition filed by Ashok Patel after his daughter went missing from Gopalganj, Sagar district. Upon her production before the Court by Assistant Sub Inspector Karan Singh Markam and Lady Constable Neelam Thakur, the girl initially expressed reluctance to return home. However, following mediation and conciliation conducted by Advocate Nirmala Nayak, who assisted the Court, she agreed to return to her parents. Crucially, during this process, the daughter conveyed her apprehension that her father might pressure her into an early marriage, prompting the Court's direct intervention and warning.