Dhubri Panchayat Member Axed Over Underage Marriage

Guwahati: Sabina Begum is out. The Dhubri district administration stripped the Anchalik Panchayat Member of her office following an official investigation into her past. She represented the 71-Bhogdahar Gaon Panchayat.

The trouble started when Omar Ali and Harun Al Rashid filed a formal complaint. They alleged Begum married before the legal age and lied about it on her 2025 election affidavit. Assistant Commissioner A. Haloi, ACS, led the inquiry. He confirmed the marriage took place while Begum was a minor. This move violated the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

The District Commissioner applied Section 111(2) of the Assam Panchayat Act, 1994, to force her removal. This law states that any person who violates the legal age of marriage requirements is barred from holding office. Officials also cited Rule 62(4)(b) and Rule 62(4)(c) of the Assam Panchayat (Constitution) Rules, 1995. The seat is now vacant. The official order declared the post empty with "immediate effect."