The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken a serious view of social evil in the form of ‘Nata Pratha’ under which the girls in some communities are sold either on a stamp paper or otherwise in the name of marriage having no legal sanctity in parts of Rajasthan and the adjoining areas in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

The Commission has called for its eradication and abolition and issued notices accordingly to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

They have been directed to submit a report on the measures taken proposed to be taken in this regard within eight weeks.

The Commission’s directions have come following its intervention in a complaint dated 15th July, 2020 from the father of a minor girl who he claimed was allegedly kidnapped in Rajasthan’s Salamgarh, District Pratapgrah and her body was found in Danpur, District Banswada in the State.

The Commission through its Investigation Division conducted a spot enquiry in the matter. It was found that the father of the girl himself had sold her for marriage to a man for Rs 2.5 lakh under a purchase deal signed by their families under ‘Nata Pratha’ in the presence of the villagers on 11th July, 2019. The groom paid Rs 60,000 and the remaining amount was to be paid by 10th January, 2020 .