The Karnataka authorities plans to amend the Prohibition of Baby Marriage Act to criminalise not solely youngster marriages but in addition makes an attempt and preparations for youngster engagements.
A draft of the Prohibition of Baby Marriage (Karnataka Modification) Invoice, 2025, proposes to insert new sections into the present Act. “Punishment for try and preparation to make youngster marriage or try and preparation to make engagement of a kid,” reads Part 9A within the draft Invoice.
As per the Prohibition of Baby Marriage Act, 2006, enacted by Parliament, the utmost imprisonment of two years and a fantastic of Rs 1 lakh are solely relevant in instances of kid marriage. The proposed Karnataka modification extends the identical provisions to youngster engagements, too.
“Whoever, make(s) an try and preparation to make youngster marriage, or try and preparation to make engagement of a kid shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment which can lengthen to 2 years or with fantastic which can lengthen to 1 lakh rupees or each,” the draft Invoice says.
Whereas part 10 of the present Act pertains to “punishment for solemnising a baby marriage”, the amendments suggest to alter it to “punishment for preparation and solemnising a baby marriage”.
The draft Invoice was based mostly on the instructions issued throughout a gathering of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with deputy commissioners and chief government officers of all districts on Might 31. Noting the recurrence of kid marriages in Karnataka, as round 700 instances had been reported final yr, extra stringent rules had been proposed through the assembly, in accordance with sources.
Different adjustments embrace the insertion of part 12A within the guardian legislation, which can render the engagement of a minor youngster null and void. Part 13(A), one other proposed modification, empowers courts to “concern injunction prohibiting youngster engagement” to “any individual together with a member of an organisation or an affiliation of individuals prohibiting such engagement”.
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The Invoice is anticipated to be taken up within the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Karnataka legislature.