Bengaluru, July 25 -- In a crucial step to curb child marriage, the Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved the Karnataka Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill-2025, to criminalise the engagement of a child or minor (betrothal), which was not punishable earlier.

Addressing presspersons after the State Cabinet meeting here yesterday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said that the Bill envisages action against those involved in a child's betrothal and marriage. Pointing out that the Bill would be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon session of the State Legislature starting on Aug.11, he said that under the Law, all Legislators, leaders, elders and others involved in a child's engagement and marriage would be punishe...