Dhubri, Dec 22: In a strong message against child marriage, the Dhubri district administration has removed an elected Anchalik Panchayat Member from office after an official inquiry confirmed a violation of child marriage laws.
Amir Ali, who was elected as an Anchalik Panchayat Member from 74-Patamari Gaon Panchayat, has been disqualified and removed with immediate effect by the District Commissioner of Dhubri. The decision followed a complaint filed by Renuka Khatun, alleging that Ali or his spouse was involved in a child marriage and that incorrect information had been submitted in the affidavit accompanying his nomination papers for the Panchayat Election, 2025.
An inquiry into the matter was conducted by Sugata Siddhartha Goswami, ACS, Election Officer, Dhubri. The investigation revealed that Amir Ali’s wife, Elifa Khatun, was born on August 20, 1997, and that the couple’s first child was born on February 23, 2013. This means Elifa Khatun was just 15 years old at the time, clearly indicating that the marriage had taken place when she was a minor.
The district administration noted that this was a clear violation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. The order also referred to Section 111(2) of the Assam Panchayat Act, 1994, which disqualifies any person from holding office in a Panchayat body if the individual or their spouse has violated the legal age of marriage.
Based on these findings, the District Commissioner invoked the relevant provisions of the law and ordered Amir Ali’s removal from the Anchalik Panchayat. The seat has now been declared vacant and will be filled as per established procedures.
Copies of the order have been sent to the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, the Assam State Election Commission, the Dhubri Zilla Parishad, and the Dharamsala Anchalik Panchayat for further action.
Officials said the move underlines the administration’s firm stand against child marriage and its resolve to uphold the values and credibility of local self-government institutions.
