Groom jailed for marrying 13-year-old girl in Gopalganj

A groom was sent to jail and fined Tk 3,000 for marrying a 13-year-old girl in Tungipara upazila of Gopalganj.

The incident took place in Nabukhali village under Patgati Union around 8pm on Monday.

According to mobile court officials and local sources, the marriage was arranged between Joy Chowdhury, son of Hironmoy Chowdhury from Baraigati area of Mollahat upazila in Bagerhat, and the underage girl from Nabukhali village.

Acting on information from local residents, an executive magistrate rushed to the wedding venue during the ceremony. After verifying the bride’s documents and confirming her age as 13, the mobile court sentenced the groom to 15 days of simple imprisonment and imposed a Tk 3,000 fine under the Child Marriage Restraint Act.

Executive Magistrate and Tungipara Assistant Commissioner (Land) Al-Amin Halder said the girl was later placed under her family’s custody.