Belagavi: Nearly two years have passed since a 25-year-old gram panchayat president allegedly married a minor in Basapur village of Hukkeri taluk. However, the long arm of law is yet to catch up with the accused.This inaction despite repeated interventions by the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR). The marriage, which reportedly took place in public, was not challenged by the local authorities. The accused, Bheemsi Appayya Kallimani, president of Basapur gram panchayat, had allegedly married the 15-year-old girl on Nov 5, 2023. According to Spandana, an NGO working against child trafficking and for children’s rights, the girl gave birth to a baby five months ago. Following a complaint, KSCPCR had directed the Belagavi zilla panchayat CEO and the district child protection officer (DCPO) to register an FIR and rescue the girl. However, even a month-and-a-half since then, no FIR has been filed. The case drew attention as it falls under the jurisdiction of women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. Speaking to TOI, Hebbalkar said: “The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights could have taken action directly, instead of writing to the authorities. However, I have instructed the deputy director to take action and register an FIR.” DCPO Dr Parveen said a rescue team visited Basapur on four occasions, but failed to trace the girl. “In the meantime, a birth certificate has surfaced, claiming the girl was an adult,” she added. Speaking to TOI, Chetan Kumar, the deputy director at the women and child welfare department, said: “The new birth certificate will be examined against the transfer certificate (TC), and steps will be taken to register an FIR.” Another officer said if the latest birth certificate is found to be fake, action will be initiated against all those concerned. Spandana Samsthe’s Susheela alleged that the accused was being protected as he is a member of the governing party. “Although the case is crystal clear, no action is being taken due to his political influence,” she alleged.
