Heartbreaking Incident in Karnataka: Child Marriage Forced on 14-Year-Old Girl
A heartbreaking incident of child marriage has come to light in Karnataka, where a 14-year-old girl was married off to a 29-year-old man. The girl was unwilling to go with him, but the groom forcibly took her.
Karnataka Crime News:
In a tragic event from the Hosur area of Karnataka, a 14-year-old minor girl was forcibly taken by a 29-year-old laborer, Madesh. This incident occurred when the girl opposed her marriage. During this time, her brother, Mallesh (38), and two others were present, but none of them helped the girl. A video of the incident was recorded by witnesses and later shared on social media, which quickly went viral.
Forced to Go with the Groom
The girl, a resident of Thimmathur village in Tamil Nadu, had studied up to the 7th grade and was living at home. On March 3, her family arranged her marriage to Madesh from Kalikuttai village in Karnataka. The wedding took place in Bengaluru. After returning to her village, the girl refused to go to her in-laws' house and complained to her parents, but her plea was ignored. Later, Madesh and Mallesh forcibly took her from a relative's house to Kalikuttai.
Grandmother Files Complaint
The video went viral on social media, prompting immediate action from the Dhenkanikotte All-Women Police Station. Following a complaint from the girl's grandmother, Madesh, Mallesh, and the girl's mother, Nagamma, were arrested on Wednesday. Today, the girl's father and Mallesh’s wife were also taken into custody. A case has been filed against them under the POCSO Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. If convicted, they could face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 1 lakh rupees.
Child Marriage in India
Currently, the girl is living with her grandparents. In India, marriage of a girl under the age of 18 is illegal and considered void. Despite this, child marriage remains a prevalent issue in many parts of the country. According to the 2023-2024 statistics, Karnataka had 180 child marriages, of which 105 were prevented, and 75 resulted in police cases.
