KHANDWA: The most sensational topic of the town is Seth Gainbhirmal, a wealthy merchant of Kuchaman in Jodhpur State. He is about 55 years old with a sufficient number of children. Having lost two wives he was in search of a companion and found one Laxmi Bal, 17-year-old daughter of one Kanbaiya Lal of Khandwa, [a man of] poor means. According to him, the Sethji gave Rs. 14,000 in cash, clothes worth Rs. 1,800 besides ornaments valued to be Rs. 60,000. He also intended to give immoveable property worth 5 lakhs to Laxmi Bai so that she might maintain herself in comfort after him.

After the completion of usual preliminaries, Sethji came to Khandwa on March 11, the day of the marriage. Meanwhile, Reformists started opposition to this type of marriage. The youngsters from Indore also played their part. The first attempt to stop the marriage under the Child Marriage Restraint Act proved abortive. But the other move under the provisions of Guardian and Wards Act succeeded in bringing the Sethji [and the] girl along with her parents to the Court. The case is adjourned for further evidence [from] the parties. (Dawn, Delhi)