Karnataka sees a notable decline in child marriage cases in 2025. Mysuru and Mandya report fewer incidents due to public awareness, police vigilance, and swift intervention by the Child Protection Department.
Mysuru has witnessed a notable decline in child marriage cases this year, according to a recent government report covering data up to 10 October. Districts including Mysuru and Mandya have recorded a substantial decrease compared to the previous two years. Officials attribute this positive trend to heightened public awareness, strict police monitoring, and prompt interventions by the Karnataka Child Protection Department.
123 Cases Prevented Out of 142 Complaints in Mysuru
In Mysuru alone, only 19 child marriages were reported from January to October 2025. During the same period, the district's Child Protection Unit received 142 complaints, of which 123 cases were successfully prevented.
For comparison:
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- 2024: 275 complaints, 219 cases prevented
- 2023: 226 complaints, 136 cases prevented
District Child Protection Officer NT Yogesh highlighted that the rise in complaints reflects growing societal awareness. He said, “As more people come forward with information, it becomes easier for officials to intervene and stop child marriages.”
Mandya District Shows Clear Improvement
Mandya district has also demonstrated significant progress this year.
- 2024: 91 cases
- 2023: 85 cases
- 2025 (up to October): Only 25 cases
Child rights activists have credited this decline to the proactive involvement of officials and diligent law enforcement by the local police in Karnataka.
Status in Other Districts of Karnataka
Between January and October 2025, other districts in Karnataka reported the following:
- Chamarajanagar — 3 cases
- Kodagu — 10 cases
- Chikkamagaluru — 19 cases
- Hassan — 23 cases
- Shivamogga — 121 complaints received, 64 cases successfully prevented
Latest Data Presented in Karnataka Legislative Assembly
During the ongoing assembly session in Belagavi, Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar presented the latest statistics in response to a question by Moodabidri MLA Umanath Kotyan. She emphasised that increased vigilance across Karnataka is enabling the department to act swiftly and prevent child marriages effectively.
Statewide Picture: 2,198 Cases Recorded Between 2023–2024
A total of 2,198 child marriages were recorded in Karnataka from 2023 to October 2024. In these cases, 2,170 FIRs were filed against the relatives of the minors involved. Notably, 2024 witnessed the highest number of child marriages in the state, with 2,323 cases reported.
Awareness and Legal Deterrence Drive Decline
Child welfare activists have observed that increasing public awareness and the deterrent effect of legal action are the primary reasons for the decline. They explained that partner organisations respond promptly to complaints, enabling authorities to prevent many cases before they can even take place.
