In a landmark step against the deep-rooted social evil of child marriage, Kriti Bharti, a Rehabilitation Psychologist and Managing Trustee of Saarthi Trust, Jodhpur, made history by securing the first-ever annulment of a child marriage in India.
Coinciding with Akshay Tritiya—a traditional occasion when many child marriages are solemnized—Kriti Bharti intervened to help Lakshmi Sargara, an 18-year-old girl from Rajasthan, who had been unknowingly married off at the age of one to Rakesh, then only three years old.
Lakshmi, distressed upon learning of her childhood marriage, reached out for help. Kriti Bharti and her team at Saarthi Trust stepped in, providing crucial legal aid, psychological counselling, and unwavering moral support. In a bold and progressive move, Kriti also counselled Rakesh, helping him understand the injustice and encouraging him to support the annulment.
With legal assistance and mutual consent, the marriage was officially annulled, marking the first legal child marriage annulment in India and a pivotal moment in the country’s fight against child marriage.
Since this breakthrough, Kriti Bharti and Saarthi Trust have successfully annulled 30 child marriages, setting powerful precedents and inspiring change across communities entrenched in age-old customs.
Kriti Bharti’s tireless efforts continue to challenge patriarchal norms and empower young girls with the right to choose their futures. Her work has drawn national and international recognition, highlighting the urgent need for child protection and social reform.
