Section 2. There has been a growing demand for making the provisions of Act more effective and the punishment t

2. There has been a growing demand for making the provisions of Act more effective and the punishment thereunder more stringent so as to eradicate or effectively prevent the evil practice of solemnisation of child marriages in the country. This will enhance the health of children and the status of women. The National Commission for Women in its Annnual Report for the year 1995-96 recommended that the Government should appoint Child Marriage Prevention Officers immediately. It further recommended that (i) the punishment provided under the Act should be made more stringent; (ii) marriages performed in contravention of the Act should be made void; and (iii) the offences under the Act should be made cognizable. 2. 1st November, 2007, vide notification No. S.O. 1850(E), dated 30th October, 2007, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii). (4) While granting a decree of nullity under this section, the district court shall make an order directing both the parties to the marriage and their parents or their guardians to return to the other party, his or her parents or guardian, as the case may be, the money, valuables, ornaments and other gifts received on the occasion of the marriage by them from the other side, or an amount equal to the value of such valuables, ornaments, other gifts and money: Provided that no order under this section shall be passed unless the concerned parties have been given notices to appear before the district court and show cause why such order should not be passed. STATE AMENDMENTS Karnataka Amendment of section 3. —In the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (Central Act 6 of 2007) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), In section 3, after sub-section (1) the following shall be inserted, namely;— "(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) every child marriage solemnized on or after the date of coming into force of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2016 shall be void ab initio". [ Vide Karnataka Act 26 of 2017, s. 2]. Haryana Amendment of section 3. —In the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (Central Act 6 of 2007) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), In section 3, after sub-section (1) the following shall be inserted, namely;— "(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) every child marriage solemnized on or after the date of commencement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Haryana Amendment) Act, 2020 shall be void ab initio". [ Vide Haryana Act 23 of 2022, s. 2].