Child marriage case in Nandigama: 3 arrested for forcing 13-year-old to marry 40-year-old man

Hyderabad: Police in Cyberabad district have arrested three individuals in connection with the forced marriage of a 13-year-old girl to a 40-year-old man. The case was registered at Nandigama Police Station following a complaint filed on July 30.

The arrested persons include the girl’s mother, Chakali Sravanthi, the bridegroom Edigi Srinivas Goud, and the house owner Govu Pentaiah, who acted as a mediator in arranging the marriage.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the minor, a student of Class 8 in a government school in Nandigama, approached the police and stated that her mother arranged her marriage without her consent. Originally from Chelka Chilkamarri village in Farooqnagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy district, the girl moved to Nandigama with her mother and younger brother two years ago following the death of her father.

The FIR states that Chakali Sravanthi, who is employed at the airport, asked their house owner, Govu Pentaiah, to help find a groom. He reportedly introduced Edigi Srinivas Goud, 40, of Kandwada village in Chevella Mandal. The girl was allegedly married to him on May 28, 2025, at Lingamurthula Temple near Nandigama, despite her objections.

The marriage was performed in the presence of the groom’s parents, Chakali Sravanthi, Govu Pentaiah, his wife Yadamma, and the officiating priest Kammari Anjaneyulu.

After spending a week at the groom’s home, the girl returned to her mother’s house and resumed school. On July 30, a teacher noticed she was emotionally distressed. Upon being questioned, the girl disclosed the incident. The teacher then accompanied her to the police station to file a formal complaint.

Inspector P. Prasad registered the case under Sections 9 and 10 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, and the investigation has been assigned to Sub-Inspector K. Devaraju.