Karnataka Aims to Strengthen Prohibition of Child Marriage Act with New Amendments

Strategic Insights -

The Karnataka government has introduced a draft of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2025, in response to the high incidence of child marriages in the state. According to officials, around 700 cases were reported last year, prompting the need for more stringent regulations. The proposed amendments aim to criminalize not only child marriages but also attempts and preparations for child engagements.

Key Takeaways:

  • The draft Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposes to insert new sections into the existing Act, including punishment for attempt and preparation to make child marriage or engagement of a child.
  • The maximum imprisonment of two years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh are applicable in cases of child marriage, and the proposed amendments extend the same provisions to child engagements.
  • The draft Bill also proposes to change section 10 of the existing Act to "punishment for preparation and solemnising a child marriage".
  • The Karnataka government plans to insert section 12A, which will render the engagement of a minor child null and void, and section 13(A), which empowers courts to issue injunctions prohibiting child engagement.
  • The Minister for Minor Irrigation and Revenue, Jayamala, stated that the new amendments will be tabled in the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Karnataka legislature.

Statistics:

  • Around 700 cases of child marriages were reported in Karnataka last year.
  • The proposed amendments aim to strengthen the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, by adding provisions for punishment for attempt and preparation to make child marriage or engagement of a child.
  • The maximum imprisonment and fine for child marriage cases are two years and Rs 1 lakh, respectively, which will be extended to child engagements under the proposed amendments.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd, "Karnataka to criminalise child marriage attempts", Contify.com, 2025
  • Karnataka Government, Draft Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2025.