An Anganwadi teacher alerted police to a proposed child marriage involving a 17-year-old girl in Hyderabad, leading to police action and counselling for the girl.
Swift intervention by an Anganwadi teacher prevented a 17‑year‑old girl and her parents from being trapped by marriage agents and social media operators who projected a 42‑year‑old Dubai‑based cab driver as a wealthy “Dubai Shaik”, leading to timely police action.
“I learnt that marriage agent Shaheen Begum and a few social media reporters had fixed the nikah of a 17‑year‑old student with Arif Ali Baig at Nawab Sahab Kunta, Kalapather. Later I found that Arif, a cab driver from Jahanuma, was performing his second marriage. I alerted the police,” said Rafia Begum, 35, local Anganwadi teacher.
Police said that on October 2, law and order staff along with task force teams raided a house at Biryani Shah Tedkdi at 6.30 p.m. and detained the groom Arif Ali Baig, khazi Mohd Jahingir, mediator Shaheen and the girl’s parents for questioning. A case was registered under the Child Marriage Act (Crime No. 190/2026), ACP Kalapather M.A. Javeed stated.
The Bharosa team counselled the girl and sent her to Sakhi. She has since rejoined college and is continuing her studies, ACP Javeed added.
On October 13, police verified Arif’s passport (No. Z2506763) and confirmed that he holds an Indian passport and works as a cab driver in Dubai. Notices have been served to the accused and further investigation is under way.
Officials said false claims were circulated on social media portraying Arif as a Dubai‑based shaik. “These allegations are baseless. Stern action will be taken against those spreading rumours. Our staff responded immediately to the complaint and booked cases as per law. The case is under investigation,” ACP Javeed said.
