NEWS – Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill, 2025 drafted by Karnataka Government.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Objective: To curb not just child marriages, but also child engagements and preparatory acts leading to them.
• Punishment:
  • Up to 2 years imprisonment
  • Fine up to ₹1 lakh
  • Now extended to engagements, not just solemnised marriages.
• Current Law:
  • Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, only marriages were punishable.
• New Provisions:
  • Engagements of minors declared null and void.
  • Preparation, abetment, and facilitation (by families, witnesses, community leaders) made punishable.
  • Amendment to Section 10: Includes punishment for “preparation and solemnising” child marriages.
• Section 13A (New):
  • Allows courts to issue injunctions to prohibit child engagements.
• Reason: Many child marriages were disguised as engagements to escape the law.