700 child marriages in Karnataka during 2024-25: CM Siddaramaiah slams officials over lapses
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly criticised senior district officials after the state reported a shocking 700 child marriages during the 2024–25 period, with five districts alone accounting for over 50% of these cases. The Chief Minister’s remarks came during a recent two-day review meeting with Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), and other senior administrators.
He mentioned that a total of 3,049 child marriages were attempted during the year 2024–25. While 2,349 were successfully prevented, 700 were solemnised, leading in some instances to teenage pregnancies and motherhood, as reported by Deccan Herald on Saturday.
"Even after decades of Independence, 700 child marriages in a year is a shocking statistic,” Siddaramaiah said, stressing that poor implementation of existing laws in certain regions is unacceptable.
The Chief Minister expressed disappointment at the apparent administrative lapses, questioning the vigilance of district officials. “If you do not know what is happening in your districts, it raises questions about your efficiency. Are your subordinates afraid to report such cases, or do they simply not care,” DH quoted Siddaramaiah as saying.
The situation is compounded by a surge in teenage pregnancies linked to cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. According to the data presented by the Women and Child Development Department, out of 3,489 Pocso cases reported in 2024-25, 685 involved pregnancies among minor girls.
The districts of Shivamogga (79 cases), Belagavi (78), Chitradurga (74), Bagalkote (63), and Mysuru (60) emerged as the worst-affected, together contributing to more than half of the total child marriages reported across the state.
Siddaramaiah asserted that the continued prevalence of child marriages and teenage pregnancies in Karnataka is deeply concerning and demanded stringent legal actions to ensure that offenders are held accountable.
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3 Indians arrested in Canada for shooting outside home
Ottawa (PTI): Three Indian nationals have been arrested by Canadian police on an anti-extortion patrol and charged after bullets were fired at a home.
Harjot Singh (21), Taranveer Singh (19) and Dayajeet Singh Billing (21) face one count each of discharging a firearm, and all have been remanded in custody until Thursday, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said in a statement on Monday.
The suspects were arrested by patrol officers after an early morning report of shots fired and a small fire outside a home in Surrey's Crescent Beach neighbourhood, the LakelandToday reported.
On February 1, 2026, the SPS members were patrolling in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood when reports came in of shots being fired and a small fire outside a residence near Crescent Road and 132 Street.
The three accused were arrested by SPS officers a short time later, the statement said.
SPS’s Major Crime Section took over the investigation, and the three men have now been charged with Criminal Code offences, it said.
All three have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place contrary to section 244.2(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. All three have been remanded in custody until February 5, 2026.
The SPS has confirmed they are all foreign nationals and has engaged the Canada Border Services Agency, it said.
One of the suspects suffered injuries, including two black eyes, the media report said.
Surrey police Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said on Monday that the suspect had refused to comply with instructions to get out of the ride-share vehicle and started to "actively resist."
"As we were trained, he was taken to the ground and safely handcuffed," said Houghton.
A second suspect with a black eye was also injured in the arrest after refusing to comply, Houghton said.
The arresting officers were part of Project Assurance, an initiative that patrols neighbourhoods that have been targeted by extortion violence.
Houghton said the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also involved because the men are foreign nationals, and the trio may face additional charges.
It's not clear if the men are in the country on tourist visas, a study permit, or a work permit, but Houghton said CBSA has started its own investigation into the men's status.
Surrey has seen a number of shootings at homes and businesses over the last several months, but there's been an escalation since the new year.
