Bengaluru: The Karnataka state government is facing criticism for failing to allocate a government residence to R Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Karnataka Assembly, more than a year after taking charge, according to sources from Ashoka's office.

Despite admitting that the BJP named Ashoka as LOP later than expected, party sources revealed they have written to the government four times requesting an official residence for Ashoka. A special officer also discussed the matter with the state's chief secretary, but the government has yet to respond, it added.

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The BJP has requested 'No 1, Kumarakripa East', 'No 1, Race View Cottage on Race Course Road', or 'No 2, Race View Cottage on Race Course Road' to be allocated as Ashoka's official residence. They wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Chief Secretary Dr. Rajneesh Goel to put forth the request. The party argued that all three buildings are currently unoccupied and conveniently located close to the Vidhana Soudha, which would benefit Ashoka.

In his letter, Ashoka reportedly mentioned that he had been allocated 'No 2, Race View Cottage on Race Course Road' as his official residence when he was a minister in the BJP government but vacated it for the Speaker’s stay.

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New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday held that the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act cannot be stunted by personal laws and that marriages involving children violate the free will to have a life partner of choice.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also issued a slew of guidelines for effective implementation of the law on prevention of child marriages in the country.

Reading out the judgement, the CJI said the law on prevention of child marriages cannot be stunted by the personal law.

Such marriages are violative of minors' free will to choose life, it said.

The authorities must focus on child marriage prevention and protection of minors while penalising offenders as a last resort.

The bench also noted that the law on Prohibition of Child Marriage has certain gaps.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 was enacted to prevent child marriages and ensure their eradication from society. The Act replaced the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929.

"Preventive strategy should be tailored to different communities, the law will only succeed when there is a multi sectoral coordination. Training and capacity building of the law enforcement officers needs to be there. We emphasise that there needs to be community driven approaches," the bench said.