Malappuram: The Kadampuzha police foiled an attempt to conduct a child marriage involving a 14-year-old girl at Maravattam on Saturday and registered a case against 10 people, including relatives of both the bride and the groom.

According to police, preparations had been made for the engagement of the minor to a 22-year-old man, reportedly her maternal uncle’s son. Around ten members from both families had gathered for the ceremony when police arrived and stopped the proceedings.

“We intervened and halted the marriage in progress. A case has been registered under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act,” said Kadampuzha SHO V K Sreejesh.

The police acted after receiving a tip-off from a local resident. Following the intervention, the girl was handed over to the Child Welfare Committee and later shifted to the Snehitha Gender Help Desk under the Kudumbashree Mission.

The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought a detailed report from the District Women and Child Development Officer.

Police said all those who participated in the ceremony have been booked, and a detailed investigation is underway.