Even as leftist lawyers like Indira Jaising push for reducing the legal marriage age to 16, real stories from the ground tell a far darker tale. In Tamil Nadu, a father is mourning how his teenage daughter — allegedly groomed from the age of 13 — was manipulated into marrying a 25-year-old man just days after turning 18. It’s a chilling reminder of the dangerous consequences of romanticising “early consent.”
What Happened
A dramatic cross-continental saga has unfolded, pitting a grieving father against a determined young couple, after an 18-year-old girl, freshly returned from her studies in London, married a 25-year-old man, sparking allegations of coercion, threats, and violent clashes between the families.
The case, which involves allegations of a long-term grooming campaign and a marriage solemnized just days after the girl became a legal adult, has left both families traumatized and raised complex questions about consent, parental authority, and the law.
This comes in the backdrop of the upcoming case of senior advocate Indira Jaising’s petition on lowering age of consent for children to 16.
“A Small Child, Disgracing Us All”: The Girl’s Father’s Plea
In an emotionally charged statement, the girl’s father recounted the sequence of events that began with his daughter ceasing communication while abroad. “On the Friday she turned 18, we all celebrated heavily over a video call… On Saturday, she didn’t come online,” he said. After frantic searches in London, the family discovered she had flown back to India and, within two days of turning 18, went to a Sub-Registrar Office (SRO) to get married.
According to the father, the groom — whom he says is about 25 and “a lawyer” — had been in contact with his daughter for years and had allegedly “deceived many girls.” He accused the groom’s group of producing intimate material to control the daughter and instil fear. “They made an obscene video, something very bad, that children should never see… That’s why she is scared and controlled, obeying everything he says,” the father said, and added that the family has reported the matter to police.
He alleged that the groom “planned all this” and warned that members of the groom’s circle had been threatening the family. “They took videos and are threatening badly,” he said. The family claims it has lodged complaints and that police were informed, but added they feel powerless in the face of the groom’s alleged influence and the group’s intimidation.
The father described frantic efforts to find his daughter after she stopped responding to the family’s messages. “We sent our daughter to London to study well… We are fools; we didn’t know how to raise her. I gave her away to someone I didn’t know how he was,” he said, urging other parents to monitor their children closely.
The father expressed shock and a sense of betrayal, alleging a calculated plan. “My daughter just finished 18, it was her third day… He deceived many girls… We didn’t know how long he had planned this,” he claimed, revealing the couple had been in a relationship for five years, unbeknownst to the family. “Think about a 13-year-old and what’s going on. I can’t even talk about this.”
He pleaded with other parents to be vigilant, suggesting his daughter was under duress. “I assure you; our daughter has some video with him. That’s why she is scared and controlled, obeying everything he says… They made an obscene video… He keeps threatening us.” His simple request was for his daughter to complete her education. “She’s just 18, a small child… Our request was simple: let her finish college first.”
“They Love Each Other Genuinely”: The Boy’s Father’s Counterpoint
The groom’s father, speaking from Palayamkottai, gave a different account focused on the problems that occurred while trying to register the marriage locally after an earlier attempt in Coimbatore. He said the couple had gone to Coimbatore and that the girl later returned from London and visited the Coimbatore police station, after which both families had met.
“Recently, a couple in love went to get married in Coimbatore. Due to troubles caused by the girl’s family, the marriage could not be registered,” he stated. He added, “With the girl’s consent, and she having come from London, the girl spoke at Coimbatore police station and then sent both the boy’s and girl’s families. Now, to get the marriage registered at Palayamkottai Register Office, the groom, the groom’s family, and others all came and waited near the Palayamkottai bus stand for registration”. He detailed a violent confrontation at the registration office. “About 10 to 60 people from the girl’s family came… Suddenly, fights broke out, and the groom’s father… got hit and injured. Their uncle was beaten badly… Both of them are now admitted in serious condition.”
Describing the atmosphere at the registry office in Palayamkottai, the groom’s father said the two families and supporters were present and a decision was being discussed when an altercation erupted. He said his own family members were injured in the scuffle.
He asserted that the girl’s will is clear. “According to her wishes, she can be sent with the one who tied the thali and married her. The problem is that the bride’s family has plenty of money but the boy’s family has none. The boy is a lawyer, but still only one community is involved. Both are from the same community, but the class and wealth gaps show up. If this were an intercaste marriage, it would have led to honor killings by now. Even though the girl married within the same community, money is the main issue causing friction. They love each other genuinely and chose to marry with mutual consent.”
He further said, “The girl who came from London, told the boy, that he should wait at Bombay and bring the girl to Coimbatore where he got married to her. The girl’s family also went there. The family is distressed and in pain. When it comes to investigation about who came and what, knowing it is same caste, the girl’s family does not want to allow the marriage to proceed. Even now, using money and power, they misuse authority in police and register office. They have been waiting for four hours at the register office, which is just sitting empty. They waited four hours to register but soon after the girl’s family arrived, they registered without her consent.”
He further said, “Even after four hours [of police interrogation], the girl insists she wants to be with the boy. She says she will not go even with her parents.”
He added, “The question we keep asking the girl’s family is whether they support her or not. If they support her, let them live peacefully otherwise if your daughter wishes to leave, please take her with you. We did not force your daughter to come.”
He ended with a plea for safety, alleging intimidation by “gangsters and rowdies” associated with the girl’s family. “My boy’s life is in danger… It is not just him but our whole family that faces danger.”
Investigation & Police Involvement
Police in Palayamkottai and Coimbatore are reported to have been involved in inquiries after the marriage and subsequent clashes. Authorities have detained the couple for questioning and are examining the sequence of events leading up to the registration attempt, witness accounts and allegations of intimidation and assault.
The two families’ statements reflect sharply divergent narratives: one alleging deception of a newly-turned adult and coercion backed by threats and compromising material; the other asserting that the couple freely chose to marry and blaming the girl’s family for violent interventions at the registry.
Local officials said they were reviewing complaints about the purported assault and the registration process. Investigating officers are expected to review CCTV, mobile phone records and the statements of those present to determine whether any offences including assault, coercion, or criminal intimidation were committed and whether the marriage was registered lawfully with informed consent.
Last Word
For every young girl manipulated under the guise of “love,” there’s a parent grieving in silence. When society starts confusing grooming for romance, the system has failed. No law should make it easier for a child to be preyed upon — least of all in the name of freedom.
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