Rise in child marriage complaints in Mysuru district

The number of complaints relating to child marriage reported to Child Helpline number 1098 in Mysuru have increased from 194 in 2023-24 to 310 in 2025-26. Of the 173 complaints received between April and September 2026, FIRs were registered in 32 cases in which child marriages had come to light only after the marriages had taken place.

Following tip-offs, the District Child Protection Unit has intervened to stop several child marriages. However, in some cases, the marriages have been solemnised later. In one of the notable cases in which marriage invitation had also been printed, District Child Protection Unit filed an FIR against 23 people who were allegedly involved in child marriage near Nagavala in August 2026.

It has also been observed that most of the families take the girl and boy to remote locations to solemnise the marriage. The matter often comes to light only when the girl is admitted to a hospital during pregnancy, following which it is brought to the notice of the Child Protection Unit.

Most of the cases have been registered in the jurisdiction of police stations in Mysuru city, H.D. Kote, Periyapatna and Hunsur, where child marriage cases are more prevalent, according to sources. “Complaints related to child marriage are highest in Mysuru taluk, followed by Periyapatna, Hunsur and H.D.

Kote. We can bring about a change through better coordination between taluk- and district-level child marriage prohibition committees,” said Venkatesh, a member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

He added that Mysuru was among the five districts in Karnataka that recorded the highest number of child marriage complaints in 2024-25. Of the 310 complaints received in 2025-26, FIRs were registered in 23 cases of child marriage.

The growing popularity of Child Helpline No. 1098 and increased public awareness have encouraged people to alert the District Child Protection Unit about child marriages, according to the Unit.