Mysuru: Incidents of child marriage continue to be high in Karnataka, with 700 cases reported in 2024-25. Though this shows a roughly 3% dip in cases compared to the previous fiscal, the overall numbers are still quite alarming.A district-wise breakup put Shivamogga, Belagavi, and Chitradurga in the top three, with Mysuru and Mandya in the fifth and sixth positions, respectively. Laxmi Hebbalkar, the women and child development minister, said in the assembly last week that in 2023-24, about 719 child marriages took place in the state. This year, between April and June 2025, the state reported 211 cases. The minister, in her reply to a query on the measures taken by the department to prevent child marriages, said senior police and district administrative officials have been instructed to take necessary action to prevent child marriages. The govt has initiated measures to run awareness drives on KSRTC and BMTC buses to prevent child marriages. As a deterrent to tackle the scourge, a draft amendment bill 2025 has been prepared, which has been approved by the cabinet. The bill seeks to criminalise even acts such as attempts, preparations, and engagements for child marriage. Presently, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, doesn’t allow the police to register complaints on these grounds. President of the Child Welfare Committee, Mysuru, M Ravichandra, told TOI in all cases of child marriage, an FIR is registered against the parents and relatives. If a minor girl is physically abused, then the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act are invoked. Elopement is also a reason behind child marriages, with parents marrying off the minors fearing social stigma and ostracism, the president explained. Jasheela, a counsellor at Santwana Kendra at HD Kote in Mysuru, claimed cases of child marriage are high among economically weaker families. Two girls, both 17, who were believed to be in a relationship, were rescued recently before their families could marry them off, she said. Mandya DCPO S Rashmi claimed efforts are on to prevent child marriage at all levels. According to Rashmi, the efforts have already yielded favourable results, as the number of cases of child marriage have come down. Box Child marriages: Top districts: Districts: 2023-24: 2024-25: 2025-26 (April-June) Shivamogga: 79 79 19 Belagavi: 22 78 11 Chitradurga: 84 74 23 Bagalkot: 19 63 1 Mysuru: 70 60 4 Mandya: 66 57 9 — Child marriages in Karnataka: 2023-24: 719 2024-25: 700 2025-26 (Apr-June): 211 Source: Karnataka Legislative Assembly
