Savadatti records highest number of child marriage complaints
Belagavi: Savadatti taluk, already known for its association with the devadasi system, has now gained attention for another social issue: child marriage. Despite efforts to curb the devadasi practice, the Women and Child Welfare Department has reported a surge in child marriage complaints from the region.
Between April and July 2024, Savadatti recorded the highest number of child marriage cases in Belagavi district, with 26 out of a total of 83 complaints across the district's 14 taluks. The district's Child Protection Cell managed to rescue 23 girls in Savadatti, but three cases proceeded despite their efforts, leading to FIRs being filed against the families involved.
District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Lokesh Jagalur noted that, while legal awareness has been spread in the area, child marriages continue, particularly in tandas and among migrant working-class families. Gokak taluk reported the second-highest number of cases, with 15 complaints and successful rescues in all instances.
In total, the department rescued 68 girls and eight underage boys from child marriages across the district in the past four months. FIRs were registered in seven cases where marriages had already taken place. Jagalur highlighted that child marriages are often conducted using secretive methods, including "Yadi Pe Shadi" (stamp paper agreements) and "Godhooli marriages" (midnight weddings), making it challenging for authorities to intervene.
Local anganwadi workers and community members have played a crucial role in providing information that has led to the rescue of these children.
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Man chased, brutally stabbed inside public toilet in northwest Delhi; one arrested; juvenile held
New Delhi (PTI): An alleged road rage incident took a fatal turn when a 27-year-old factory worker was chased down by assailants and stabbed multiple times inside a public toilet in northwest Delhi's Ashok Vihar area, police said on Thursday.
According to police, the incident took place on Wednesday night, when witnesses saw the victim, Santosh Kumar, running into a public toilet in a desperate bid to save his life, with his attackers hot on his heels.
"A PCR call was received at 6:23 pm on April 8 regarding a man being stabbed inside the compound of a Sulabh Sauchalaya located at the fish market in Wazirpur Industrial Area," a senior police officer said.
A police team rushed to the spot and found the victim lying in a pool of blood inside the toilet premises. The victim, originally from Nepal, was residing in Macchi Market area, the official said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the incident stemmed from an altercation between the victim and a motorcycle rider. The verbal spat soon escalated into a physical scuffle, during which the accused, along with an associate, allegedly attacked Santosh with a knife.
Police sources said in a desperate attempt to save himself, the injured victim ran towards the nearby public toilet and tried to latch the door from inside. Eyewitness accounts suggest he tried to take refuge inside the public toilet and shut the door to prevent his attackers from entering. However, he was chased down, overpowered, and stabbed multiple times.
Santosh collapsed on the spot, where he later succumbed to his injuries, police said.
A case under sections 103(1) (murder) and 3(5) (common intentions) was registered at Ashok Vihar police station and an investigation was taken up.
During the probe, police arrested one accused identified as Tanish (19), a resident of CSA Colony in Macchi Market area, and apprehended a juvenile allegedly involved in the incident.
Police said the motorcycle used by the accused, which they had abandoned while fleeing after the attack, was recovered near the crime scene.
Family members and acquaintances of the deceased expressed shock over the killing. Santosh's uncle, who reached the spot after being informed, recounted the scene.
"When I came here, I saw him lying on the floor, dead. I noticed that he had been stabbed twice. I am not aware of what exactly happened. He was just 27 years old and used to work in a steel company with me. I don't know how many people were involved in the attack. We are from Nepal, and I have been working here for 15 years. I think he was stabbed outside and later came inside the toilet to save himself. There was a bike outside which I think belonged to the attackers," he said.
Police said the motive behind the crime appears to be road rage -- a sudden and heated altercation on the road that spiralled into a violent assault resulting in the victim's death.
Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend any other persons involved in the attack. Police teams are analysing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and examining local witnesses to piece together the sequence of events.
