Belagavi Minor Forced into Marriage and Impregnated
A deeply disturbing case of child marriage has emerged from Hukkeri taluk in Belagavi district, where a 16-year-old girl was forcibly married and subsequently became pregnant. Police have registered a First Information Report at the Yamakanmaradi police station under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
Accused Identified and Complaint Details
The primary accused has been identified as Mallappa Bhimappa Patil, originally from Kuraniwadi village in Hukkeri taluk but currently residing in Takke village of Gokak taluk. The formal complaint was filed by Geeta Kamble, an Anganwadi supervisor from Chikodi, after receiving crucial information from Spandana Network, a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting child rights and combating human trafficking.
According to the official complaint documents, the illegal marriage ceremony took place on February 13, 2025. Officials from the women and child welfare department proceeded with filing the FIR after their repeated attempts to rescue the minor girl from her dangerous situation proved unsuccessful.
Pattern of Child Marriage Cases in the Region
This represents the second major incident of child marriage reported from Hukkeri taluk in recent months. Authorities continue to face significant challenges in another ongoing case where they have been struggling for over a year to rescue a different minor girl who was allegedly married to the chairman of Basapur gram panchayat and has been impregnated twice during this period.
The persistence of such cases highlights the urgent need for stronger implementation of child protection laws and more effective intervention strategies in the region. Child welfare authorities face ongoing challenges in combating deeply entrenched social practices that continue to endanger young girls.
