New Delhi, 27 August (H.S.): The National Commission for Women (NCW) has constituted a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate the alleged practice of ‘Paro’ or ‘Molki’ marriages in Haryana’s Mewat region, particularly Nuh district. The commission has taken the step seriously in view of complaints alleging the trafficking and sale of women, inter-state human trafficking and exploitation.

According to the NCW, allegations have emerged that under the ‘Paro’ or ‘Molki’ marriage practice, women from economically weaker families are brought from other states through intermediaries and married to local men. In some cases, women are allegedly resold following monetary transactions and subjected to repeated violence and exploitation. However, the veracity of these allegations will be established only after the investigation.

The committee comprises Dr. P.M. Nair, IPS (Retd.); B.K. Sinha, IPS (Retd.); Seema Singh, Associate Professor at the University of Delhi; filmmaker and actress Tripti Bhoir; and Manmohan Verma, Law Officer of the commission.

The team will visit Nuh/Mewat and other locations, if required, to conduct its investigation. The committee will examine the actual status and prevalence of ‘Paro/Molki’ marriages and investigate the role of intermediaries and possible inter-state trafficking networks.

The panel will also assess the legal identity, property and inheritance rights, and other entitlements of the women involved. It will examine cases related to violence, exploitation, child marriage and social discrimination. The committee will interact with the police, administration, local residents, affected women and social organisations.

It will also assess the women’s access to justice and government services. The committee has been directed to submit its report to the commission within 10 working days of its constitution, along with recommendations for preventing such incidents in the future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar