Karnataka outlaws minor betrothals: New law toughens stance on child marriage

Karnataka reported as many as 719 child marriages in 2023-24 alone. With the passage of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka Amendment) Bill 2025 in both houses of the state legislature during the ongoing monsoon session, even betrothal (engagement) of minors will now attract rigorous imprisonment up to two years and a penalty of two years, or fine upto Rs 1 lakh. 

While child marriages were officially outlawed in 2006 in the state, the social evil continues owing to poverty, lack of awareness, rise in love affairs involving minors due to adverse impact of social media, which is forcing parents to marry off their minor daughters, say experts. 

According to Karnataka's women and child welfare department, as many as 2,165 child marriages have been reported in the last four years (2021-25). The number of child marriages, which was 418 in 2021-22, increased to 719 in 2023-24. Around 1,416 child marriages were reported in the last two years, after the Congress came to power. 

Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said there was a need for multiple departments like education, social welfare, labour, health and women and child welfare to work together to track the school dropouts, to prevent child marriages. "The current amendment would discourage child marriages as not just solemnising, but abetment and preparation for child marriage has been outlawed and is now punishable," said Hebbalkar. 

Last week, Janata Dal (Secular) MLA Suresh Babu had raised concerns over the increasing incidence of child pregnancy (teenage mothers). In her reply, Hebbalkar said the state had reported 1,800 child pregnancy cases over the last three years. 

"Child marriages are still taking place due to certain social customs and traditions in some communities. As a result, the number of child pregnancies is also increasing. The Child Welfare Committees (CWC) are running four centres in Bengaluru and one CWC centre each at the district headquarters, to curb child marriages. Restrictions on minors using social media will also help curb child marriages. Departments such as education, health, home, social welfare, revenue, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes welfare, will work jointly in this mission," said Hebbalkar adding that 1098 (child helpline) was operational 24/7, besides Committees for the Protection of Women’s and Children’s Rights formed at gram panchayat level upto the district level to safeguard women and children. 

Stressing the need to create awareness, the minister informed that a special all-women taskforce "Akka Pade" had been formed in Bidar to educate school and college girls. 

"Akka Pade, comprising women cops, NCC officers and department officials, will create awareness about child marriage, POCSO Act, atrocities against women, the police helpline (112) and child helpline (1098) to encourage reporting of such cases. This initiative is already functioning successfully in the Bidar district. We will launch a similar task force in Belagavi, Mysuru and Mangaluru districts and eventually extend it across the state," said Hebbalkar. 

Besides, penal provisions for solemnising, abetment and preparation for child marriage, engagement will be considered preparation for child marriage and is a punishable offence. As per the new law, the engagement of a minor child will be declared null and void (Section 12A), while a magistrate shall be empowered to issue an injunction against any person, including a member of an organisation or an association of persons prohibiting such engagement (Section 13A).