Allahabad High Court rules 2004 child marriage void and orders compensation

The Allahabad High Court has declared a 2004 marriage between a 12-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl as "void." This decision overturned a previous family court ruling and was made on October 25. The court ordered the man to pay his former "wife" Rs 25 lakh. The judges noted that the family court had erred in dismissing the case, as the man was legally allowed to file the appeal. The high court stated that the marriage was a "child marriage" and set a one-month deadline for the payment. If not paid on time, the amount will accrue interest at 8 percent.