KARNATAKA FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN MARRIAGE AND PREVENTION AND PROHIBITION OF CRIMES IN THE NAME OF HONOUR AND TRADITION (EVA NAMMAVA EVA NAMMAVA) ACT, 2026

KARNATAKA ACT NO. 26 OF 2026 
 

KARNATAKA FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN MARRIAGE AND PREVENTION 

AND PROHIBITION OF CRIMES IN THE NAME OF HONOUR AND 
TRADITION (EVA NAMMAVA EVA NAMMAVA) ACT, 2026 

 

 

Sections: 

 

1. Short title and commencement 

2. Definitions 

3. Freedom to marry 

4. Declaration by a couple who intend to go for inter-caste marriage 

5. Prohibition of crimes in the name of honour or tradition 

6. Prohibition of unlawful assembly 

7. Power of court to issue injunctions 

8. Killing in the name of Honour 

9. Grievous hurt and Injury 

10. Crimes in the name of honour or tradition and any other act to 

prevent exercise of rights under section 3 

11. Criminal intimidation 

12. Unlawful assembly 

13. Tampering with evidence 

14. Punishment for abetment, attempt or conspiracy 

15. Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable 

16. Rights of Persons exercising their rights under section 3 and 

victims of any offence under this Act 

17. Duty to provide protection and provision of safe-houses 

18. Duty of public servant 

19. Power to prohibit certain acts and taking preventive measures 

20. Failure to perform duty under the Act 

21. Mandatory reporting 

22. Duties of the State Government to ensure effective implementation 

of the Act 



 

23. Constitution of monitoring committees 

24. Eva Nammava Vedike 

25. Establishment of special fast track courts 

26. Appeals 

27. Application of Bharathiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitha, 2023 

28. Act to be in addition to other laws 

29. Power to make rules 

 

 
 

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS 

Amendment Act 26 of 2026:- Whereas the persistence of caste-based 

discrimination in the State of Karnataka continues to manifest in brutal forms 

of violence, including honour killings, particularly against young adults who 

exercise their constitutional right to choose their life partners through inter-

caste marriages. 

And whereas while offences like murder, assault, and criminal 

intimidation are punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 

(Central Act 45 of 2023) these provisions do not adequately address the 

specific social motive of preserving perceived "caste honour" or the wide range 

of coercive practices employed from performing death rituals (thithi) for living 

daughters, denying lawful inheritance rights, social ostracism, to insidious 

attempts at causing harm through poisoning or other covert means. Such acts 

not only violate fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 

21 of the Constitution of India but also undermine the vision of social 

reformers like Sree Basavanna and Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who advocated inter-

caste marriages as a means to eradicate caste hierarchy. 

And Whereas Existing laws lack proactive mechanisms for protection of 

at-risk couples, mandatory police intervention, fast-track adjudication, and 

restoration of civil rights such as inheritance. In the absence of a dedicated 

legislation, perpetrators often escape stringent punishment and victims or 

survivors receive inadequate relief and rehabilitation. 



 

And Whereas The Constitution of India enshrines the principle of 

fraternity as essential to securing the dignity of the individual and the unity 

and integrity of the nation and this principle demands the eradication of 

caste-based discrimination and the promotion of social solidarity through the 

recognition and protection of inter-caste marriages. 

Therefore, it is considered necessary to make a legislation to,- 

(i) provide freedom of choice in marriage and prevention and 

prohibition of caste based crimes; 

(ii) prevent violation of human rights; 

(iii) bring honour to inter-caste marriage; 

(iv) prevent enforced caste based discrimination in individual 

choices; and 

(v) constitute eva nammava eva nammava vedike to solemnise inter-

caste marriages. 

 Hence, the Bill. 

[L.A. Bill No. 07 of 2026, File No. SAMVYASHAE 09 SHASANA 2026]  

[Article 21 and entries 5, 20 and 23 of List III of the Seventh Schedule to the 

Constitution of India]  

[Published in Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary No.274 in part-IVA 

dated:10.04.2026] 

 

  



KARNATAKA ACT NO. 26 OF 2026 
 

(First Published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the 10th day of April, 2026) 

  

KARNATAKA FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN MARRIAGE AND PREVENTION 

AND PROHIBITION OF CRIMES IN THE NAME OF HONOUR AND 
TRADITION (EVA NAMMAVA EVA NAMMAVA) ACT, 2026 

(Received the assent of the Governor on the 09th day of April, 2026) 
 

Whereas the Constitution of India guarantees to all persons the 

fundamental rights to equality before the law and equal protection of the laws 

(Article 14), the right to life and personal liberty (Article 21), and the freedoms 

of expression, association, and movement (Article 19); 

And whereas the primordial human rights of life, liberty, equality and 

dignity enshrined in the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 shall be 

available to persons exercising their decisional freedom; 

And whereas these rights include the autonomy of all persons to choose 

their partners, to enter into marriage and to lead lives with dignity; 

And whereas the Constitution recognizes the liberty and autonomy 

which inheres in each individual and includes the ability to take decisions on 

aspects which define one's personhood and identity. This includes the choice 

of a partner in marriage; 

And whereas an alarming increase in violence, harassment, threats, 

and social ostracism—often perpetrated in the name of caste hierarchy, 

honour, custom, - is being directed against individuals, especially young 

couples, who exercise their right to marry; 

 And whereas such violence disproportionately affects women, who are 

subjected to patriarchal control over their choices, and men from marginalized 

communities, who are targeted when their relationships cross caste 

boundaries; 

And whereas endogamy operates as a structural mechanism designed 

to preserve the caste system, and inter-caste marriages serve as essential 

instruments for dismantling its rigid and oppressive framework and for 

advancing the constitutional principle of fraternity; 

And whereas the Constitution of India enshrines the principle of 

fraternity as essential to securing the dignity of the individual and the unity 

and integrity of the nation, and this principle demands the eradication of 

caste-based discrimination and the promotion of social solidarity through the 

recognition and protection of inter-caste marriages; 

And whereas such acts constitute a grave violation of constitutional 

rights and human dignity, and must be recognized not as private or familial 

matters, but as serious offences warranting legal intervention and protection; 

And whereas it is necessary to prevent individuals and groups from 

enforcing caste based discrimination in individual choices; 



And whereas it is necessary to create an environment of inclusivity, 

promoting fraternity, mirroring the all embracing time honoured principle of 

"Eva Nammava, Eva Nammava."; 

And whereas it is necessary that proactive steps be taken to prevent the 

commission of such acts and to establish comprehensive protective measures, 

including preventive, remedial, and rehabilitative mechanisms, to safeguard 

individuals and to ensure that State authorities are under a legal obligation 

to respond effectively and uphold the constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, 

and equality; 

Now therefore, it is expedient to enact a law to affirm and protect the 

liberty, dignity, and autonomy of all persons, to prevent crimes committed in 

the name of “honour” and tradition, to penalize any conduct that interferes 

with individual freedom of choice in marriage and to provide legal safeguards, 

remedies, and institutional mechanisms for prevention, redressal, and 

rehabilitation. 

Be it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the Seventy-seventh 

Year of the Republic of India as follow:- 

1. Short title and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the 

Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of 

Crimes in the name of Honour and Tradition (Eva Nammava Eva 

Nammava)Act, 2026. 

(2) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, 

by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. 

 

2. Definitions.- (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- 

(a) "Inter-caste marriage" means a marriage between persons 

belonging to two different castes or sub-castes; 

(b) “Social and economic boycott” includes all such acts as are 

calculated to lead to the boycott or enforcement of social or 

economic sanctions and includes the following acts, namely:- 

(i)  bringing pressure on the couple or their families or 

relatives to leave the village or area of residence 

concerned; 

(ii)  a refusal to permit a person to render to other person or 

receive from him any customary service or to abstain 

from social relations that one will maintain with other 

person or to isolate him from others; 

(iii)  indulging in any conduct which will impede or is likely to 

impede, access to markers, community facilities, placed 

of worship or any other necessities of life; 



(iv)   divesting or dispossessing the couple or their families of 

any land or property belonging to them or imposing of 

fine or penalty of any kind; 

(v)   a refusal to deal with, work for hire or do business; 

(vi)  to deny opportunities including access to services or 

contractual opportunities for rendering service for 

consideration: or to refuse to do anything on the terms 

on which things would be commonly done in the ordinary 

course of business; or 

(vii)   to abstain from any professional or business relations; 

(viii)  to refuse to do anything on the  terms on which things 

would be commonly done in the ordinary course of 

business; 

(ix)   to abstain from the professional or business relations 

that one would maintain with other person;  

(x)  to abstain from lending loan or credit; and 

(xi)   to refuse admission in school.  

 

(2) Words and expressions used but not defined in this Act and defined 

in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha, 2023 (Central Act 45 of 2023) or Bharatiya 

Nagarika Suraksha Sanhitha, 2023 (Central Act 46 of 2023) shall have the 

meanings assigned to them respectively in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha, 

2023(Central Act 45 of 2023) or Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitha, 

2023(Central Act 46 of 2023). 

 3. Freedom to marry.- (1) All persons shall have the right to autonomy 

over their own lives, including the rights to liberty, freedom of expression, and 

freedom to marry a person of their choice. 

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), it is hereby 

declared that any two persons who are otherwise eligible to marry have a right 

to marry any person of their choice without any hindrance from anyone 

including the parents and family members of both the parties. 

(3) The consent of the person’s parents, family, caste or clan is not 

necessary once the two adult individuals agree to enter into a marriage. 

(4) Any action to prevent the exercise of the rights referred to in  

sub-section (1) and (2) by any person or a group of persons shall amount to 

an offence under the provisions of this Act. 

 4. Declaration by a couple who intend to go for inter-caste 

marriage.- Any two persons desirous of marrying each other shall been titled 

to declare their age and willingness in oral or in writing to the District 

Magistrate or any Nodal officer as designated for this purpose by the District 

Magistrate, who shall send the said information to the nearest police station 

and no action shall be taken by the police and / or any other authority at the 



instance of any other party, including the family members or relatives or 

community members of either party or any third party, against the said 

couple: 

Provided that such a declaration shall not be a pre-condition for the 

persons to exercise their rights under section 3. 

Provided further that, such a declaration shall be made by a  person 

above the age of eighteen years in case of female and twenty one years in case 

of male.  

 5. Prohibition of crimes in the name of honour or tradition.- (1) No 

person or persons shall commit any acts in the name of caste, culture, 

custom, tradition or so-called “honour” or tradition against any person or 

persons on the ground that the person has transgressed cultural, caste, social 

or traditional norms or customs of appropriate behaviour. 

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1) acts which 

would amount to crimes in the name of honour and tradition would include 

but are not limited to,- 

(i) Causing death, physical harm or injury to either partner 

in the couple or anyone connected with them; 

(ii) Harassing the couple or either of them not to meet or 

associate with or live with each other, either physically or 

through any means of communication; 

(iii) Abducting the victim and / or their partner or anyone 

associated with them; 

(iv) Imposing social and economic boycott on the couple or 

their family or anyone associated with them; 

(v)  Excommunicating, ostracization or forcible removal or 

displacement / eviction of the couple or their family or 

relatives from the village, town or area they live in; 

(vi) Asking the couple or anyone associated with them or 

harbouring them to pay a fine; 

(vii) Threatening the couple or either of them or their family 

or anyone associated with them of retributive action of 

any kind whatsoever; 

(viii) Individually or collectively exhorting or bringing pressure 

directly or indirectly upon any person or persons to 

prevent or disapprove of the marriage or association 

which is objected to, or to generate an environment of 

hostility towards such couple or either of them or their 

supporters; 

(ix)  Forcibly declaring the couple who have got married as 

brother and sister; 



(x) Performing symbolic disownment rituals (such as thithi 

or equivalent death ceremonies) against a living person; 

(xi) Wrongfully denying or interfering with succession rights 

in property; 

(xii) Any other act or acts of harassment or intimidation, 

whether physical or mental or psychological against the 

person, the couple or persons supporting them; 

(xiii) Confining any person illegally, or placing them under 

house arrest; 

(xiv) Confiscation of a person’s phone, laptop and any means 

of communication; 

(xv) Freezing the bank accounts of the couple or either of 

them; 

(xvi) Causing the termination of the job of the couple or either 

of them by their employer; 

(xvii) Committing act of sexual violence or sexual harassment 

against any person; 

(xviii) Forcing or causing an abortion or miscarriage on any 

woman; 

(xix) Forced marriage of either or both persons, who are 

parties to an inter-caste marriage, against their consent; 

(xx) Forced dissolution of marriage of the couple against their 

consent; 

(xxi) Spreading hatred or defaming the couple and the family 

with false information among the locality or community; 

and 

(xxii) Social and economic boycott. 

 

6. Prohibition of unlawful assembly.- A group of five or more persons 

shall not gather, assemble, congregate at any time with the view or intention 

to deliberate on, or condemning any marriage on the ground that such 

marriage has dishonoured the caste, tribe, community, tradition or is against 

the wishes of the family or community. 

 7. Power of court to issue injunctions.- (1) Any person having exercised 

or intending to exercise any of their rights under section 3 may approach a 

Civil Court on an apprehension that there will be any interference in the 

exercise of such rights from their parents, family members or any other 

persons, and seek an injunction preventing such interference and may also 

seek an order of protection. 



 (2) On such application, the Court shall issue an injunction against any 

person or persons including their parents, family, relatives or any other 

member and restrain them from interfering with the rights of the persons and 

an order of protection directing the jurisdictional police to protect the person 

or persons concerned: 

Provided that in the case of any urgency, the Court shall have the power 

to issue an ad-interim and ex-parte injunction and order of protection, before 

the issuance of notice. 

 (3) On the issuance of the order of protection, it shall be the responsibility 

of the police to ensure complete protection to the person or persons concerned 

and to take all steps of precaution under the provisions of this Act. 

 (4) Whoever knowing that an injunction has been issued under sub-

section (1) against him disobeys such injunction shall be punishable with 

imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years 

or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or with both. 

8. Killing in the name of ‘Honour’.- Without prejudice to the 

punishment provided under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, whoever causes 

death through any means or commits any such act that results in death of a 

couple or either of them or any person in the name of ‘honour’ shall be 

punished with minimum imprisonment for a term of five years. 

9. Grievous hurt and Injury.- (1) Whoever causes grievous hurt to a 

couple or either of them in the name of honour shall be punished with 

imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years and with 

fine which may extend to three lakh rupees. 

 (2) Whoever causes simple hurt to a couple or either of them in the name 

of ‘honour’ shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which 

shall not be less than two years and with fine which may extend to two lakh 

rupees. 

 Explanation: The expression ‘grievous hurt’ and ‘simple hurt’ shall have 

the same meaning as is given to it in section 114 and 116 of the Bharatiya 

Nyaya Sanhitha, 2023(Central Act 45 of 2023). 

 10. Crimes in the name of honour or tradition and any other act to 

prevent exercise of rights under section 3.- Whoever causes any crimes in 

the name of “honour” or tradition as defined in section 5,- 

(a) not amounting to killing in the name of “honour” but grievous hurt 

and injury, shall be punishable with imprisonment of a term which 

shall not be less than two years but which may extend to five years 

and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to one lakh rupees. 

(b) Any person or persons who commits any act not defined in section 9 

and 10 to prevent the exercise of the rights referred in sub-sections(1) 

and (2) of section 5 by any person or a group of persons shall be 

punishable with imprisonment of a term not less than two years but 



which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine which 

may extend to one lakh rupees.  

11. Criminal intimidation.- Any person or persons including any 

member of an unlawful assembly indulges in criminal intimidation of any 

person or persons for their marriage or any of their relatives or supporters, 

shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than three years 

but which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine which may 

extend to two lakh rupees: 

Provided that if the threat be to cause harm or injury of the description 

referred to in section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Central 

Act 45 of 2023) the maximum imprisonment shall extend to seven years. 

Explanation: The expression ‘criminal intimidation’ shall have the same 

meaning as is given to it in section 351(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 

2023 (Central Act 45 of 2023). 

 12. Unlawful assembly.- Any person or persons participating in any 

unlawful assembly as described in section 7 including every member 

participating therein directly or indirectly, shall be punishable with 

imprisonment for a term not less than six months but which may extend to 

five years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to one lakh rupees. 

 13. Tampering with evidence.- Whoever knowingly or having reason to 

believe that an offence has been committed under this Act causes any 

evidence of the commission of that offence to disappear with the intention of 

screening the offender from punishment, or with that intention gives any 

information respecting the offence which he knows or believes to be false shall 

be punishable with the punishment provided for that offence. 

14. Punishment for abetment, attempt or conspiracy.- Whoever 

abets, attempts or conspires to commit an offence under this Act or 

encourages or assists the suicide of any person shall be punished in the same 

manner as if he had himself committed that offence. 

15. Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable.- Without prejudice to 

the provisions anything contained in the Bharathiya Nagarik Suraksha 

Sanhitha, 2023 (Central Act 46 of 2023), all the offences under this Act shall 

be cognizable and non-bailable. 

 16. Rights of Persons exercising their rights under section 3 and 

victims of any offence under this Act.- Any person exercising their rights 

under section 3 or being a victim under this Act shall have the right,- 

(1) to seek protection for themselves, their dependents, and witnesses 

against any kind of intimidation or coercion or inducement or 

violence or threats of violence. 

(2) to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity and with due regard 

to any special need that arises because of the victims age or gender 

or educational disadvantage or poverty. 



(3) to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any Court proceeding 

including any bail proceeding; the Public Prosecutor or the State 

Government shall inform such person about any proceedings under 

this Act. 

(4) to be heard in any proceeding under this Act in respect of bail, 

discharge, release, parole, conviction or sentence of an accused or 

any connected proceedings or arguments and file appeal against 

acquittal, written submission on conviction, acquittal or sentencing 

and for this purpose to engage a legal counsel of their choice. 

(5) Without prejudice to anything contained in the Bharathiya Nagarik 

Suraksha Sanhitha, 2023(Central Act 46 of 2023), the Court trying 

a case under this Act shall provide to a victim, his/her dependents, 

informant or witnesses, complete protection to secure the ends of 

justice; 

(6) without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section 

(5), the concerned Special Court may, on an application made by a 

victim or his/her dependent, informant or witness in any proceedings 

before it or by the Special Public Prosecutor in relation to such victim, 

informant or witness or on its own motion, take such measures 

including,- 

(a)  concealing the names and addresses of the witnesses in its orders 

or judgments or in any records of the case accessible to the 

public; 

(b) issuing directions for non-disclosure of the identity and 

addresses of the witnesses; 

(c) take immediate action in respect of any complaint relating to 

harassment of a victim, informant or witness and on the same 

day, if necessary, pass appropriate orders for protection: 

Provided that inquiry or investigation into the complaint received under  

clause (c) shall be tried separately from the main case by such Court and 

concluded within a period of two months from the date of receipt of the 

complaint. 

Provided further that where the complaint under clause (c) is against any 

public servant, the Court shall restrain such public servant from interfering 

with the victim, informant or witness, as the case may be, in any matter 

related or unrelated to the pending case. 

(7) the Court shall periodically review the protection being offered to 

victims and witnesses and pass appropriate orders to modify any 

protection measures if necessary. 

 17. Duty to provide protection and provision of safe-houses.- (1) It 

shall be the duty and responsibility of the State to make arrangements for the 



protection of victims, their dependents and witnesses against any kind of 

intimidation or coercion or inducement or violence or threats of violence. 

       (2) Any person or persons can make complaints, file representations 

or letters to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or the District Magistrate or the 

jurisdictional police seeking protection from any person or any unlawful 

assembly who are likely to or who have been objecting to any marriage. 

 (3) Upon receiving such complaint or representation, the Sub-

Divisional Magistrate or District Magistrate shall immediately take 

appropriate steps to provide protection to the said person, including giving 

appropriate directions for the same to the police. The police if they receive 

such a complaint, or request for protection, shall immediately and not later 

than 6 hours, provide protection and safety measures to the said persons, in 

such manner as they deem fit, but not limited to finding a shelter home or by 

any other means. 

         (4) It shall be the duty of the State Government to provide homes for 

couples in need of shelter and a safe place to stay. There should be adequate 

security for the protection of these couples in these shelter homes, with due 

regard to their privacy. In the safe houses, the couple shall have access and 

the facilities to meet with their lawyers or members from any Non 

Governmental Organization providing them support and assistance. 

         (5) The State Government shall establish a safe house at each 

District Headquarter for persons whose rights under Section 3 of the Act are 

under threat. 

        (6) It shall be the duty of the State Government to frame a scheme for 

protection and rehabilitation of victims and witnesses under this Act and such 

scheme may include provision of immediate relief. 
 

 18. Duty of public servant.- (1) The duties of public servant shall 

include to, - 

(a) record the complaint of any person, informant, victim or 

witnesses in regard to any offence under this Act or any kind of 

intimidation, coercion or inducement or violence or threats of 

violence, whether given orally or in writing. 

(b) read out to an informant the information given orally, and 

reduced to writing by the officer in charge of the police station, 

before taking the signature of the informant; 

(c) register a complaint or a First Information Report under this Act 

and other relevant provisions; 

(d) furnish a copy of the information so recorded forthwith to the 

informant; 

(e) record the statement of the victims or witnesses; 

(f) conduct the investigation and file charge sheet in the Special 



Court or the Exclusive Special Court within a period of sixty 

days, and to explain the delay if any, in writing; 

(g) correctly prepare, frame and translate any document or 

electronic record; 

(h) respect the rights of all persons under this Act and take no 

action that undermines any such right; 

(i) perform any other duty specified in this Act or the rules made 

there under. 

          (2) No public servant shall engage in any act that directly or 

indirectly impedes, restricts, or undermines any person’s right to exercise 

their rights under this Act. 

 

 19. Power to prohibit certain acts and taking preventive 

measures.- If information about any proposed unlawful assembly or 

gathering in respect of crimes to be committed against any particular couple 

or persons in the name of honour or tradition, comes to the knowledge of any 

police officer or any officer of the District Administration, they shall: 

(i) Forthwith intimate the jurisdictional Deputy Superintendent of 

Police and Superintendent of Police; 

(ii) The District Magistrate shall immediately issue an order 

prohibiting the convening of such unlawful assembly and the 

doing of any act towards the commission of any offence under 

this Act by any person in any area specified there under and 

such order shall be immediately published in a local newspaper 

and delivered to such persons of the said unlawful assembly; 

(iii) The Sub-Divisional Magistrate or District Magistrate may take 

such steps as may be necessary to give effect to such order 

including by giving appropriate directions to the police 

authorities concerned; 

(iv) The District Magistrate shall also take such steps as may be 

necessary to ensure the safety of the persons targeted pursuant 

to the illegal decisions taken by the unlawful assembly 

including preventive and prohibitory actions under the 

Bharathiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitha, 2023(Central Act 46 of 

2023); and 

(v) The District Magistrate/Superintendent of Police shall deal with 

the complaint regarding threat administered to such 

couple/family with utmost sensitivity. If necessary, they may be 

provided logistical support for solemnizing their marriage 

and/or for being duly registered under police protection, if they 

so desire. After the marriage, if the couple so desire, they can be 



provided accommodation on payment of nominal charges in the 

safe house initially for a period of one month to be extended on 

monthly basis but not exceeding  

one year in aggregate, depending on their threat assessment on 

a case-to-case basis. 

 20. Failure to perform duty under the Act.- Whoever, being a public 

servant, wilfully neglects his duties required to be performed by him under 

this Act and the rules made there under, shall be liable for departmental 

proceedings. 

 21. Mandatory reporting.- (1) All State government officers are required 

and empowered to assist the police in the execution of the provisions of this 

Act or any rule or order made hereunder. 

 (2) All village officers and such other officers as may be specified by 

the Deputy Commissioner in relation to any area and the inhabitants of such 

area shall, if they have reason to believe or have the knowledge that any of 

the offences mentioned under this Act are about to be, or have been 

committed in the area shall mandatorily report such fact to the nearest police 

station forthwith. 

 (3) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-

section (2) shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a 

term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine. 

 22. Duties of the State Government to ensure effective 

implementation of the Act.- (1) The State Government shall forthwith 

identify Districts,  Sub-Divisions and/or villages where instances of crimes in 

the name of honour or tradition have been reported in the last five years. 

         (2) The Principal Secretary, Department of Law, Justice, Human Rights 

shall issue directives/advisories to the Superintendent of Police of the 

concerned Districts for ensuring that the Officers In charge of the Police 

Stations of the identified areas are extra cautious if any instance of inter-caste 

marriage within their jurisdiction comes to their notice. 

         (3) The Department of Law, Justice, Human Rights shall take measures 

to create awareness and sensitize law enforcement agencies, government 

departments and the police by involving all the stake holders to identify the 

measures for prevention of crimes in the name of honour and to implement 

this legislation; 

 (4) The Government shall create a Special Cell for prevention of crimes 

in the name of ‘honour’ or “tradition” in every District comprising of the 

Superintendent of Police, the District Social Welfare Officer to receive 

petitions/complaints of harassment of and threat to couples of inter-caste  

marriages and any person exercising their right under section 3. 



       (5) These Special Cells shall establish a 24-hour helpline to receive 

and register such complaints and to provide necessary assistance/advice and 

protection to the couple. 

 23. Constitution of monitoring committees.- (1) In each district, 

the District Magistrate shall set up a monitoring committee to review the 

implementation of the provisions of the Act, relief and rehabilitation facilities 

provided to the victims and other matters connected therewith, prosecution 

of cases under the Act, role of different officers/agencies responsible for 

implementing the provisions of the Act and various reports received by the 

District Administration. 

 (2) The district-level monitoring committee shall consist of 

Superintendent of Police, three Group ‘A’ officers/ Gazetted officers of the 

State Government and three members having association with non-

Government Organizations. 

      (3) The District-level committee shall meet at least once in three 

months. 

       (4) The State Government shall take all measures as may be 

necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. Such measures may 

include,- 

(i) The provision for adequate facilities, including legal aid, to the 

persons subjected to honour crimes to enable them to avail 

themselves of justice; 

(ii) provision for a periodic survey of the working of the provisions 

of this Act with a view to suggesting measures for the better 

implementation of the provision of this Act. 

  24. Eva Nammava Vedike.- (1) In each district, the District Magistrate 

shall constitute an "Eva Nammava Vedike." 

 (2) The Eva Nammava vedike shall consist of retired judge, police officer, 

revenue officer, sub-registrar and such other members as may be prescribed. 

 (3) The Eva Nammava Vedike shall facilitate solemnisation of marriage, 

provide counseling services and perform such other functions as may be 

prescribed. 

 25. Establishment of special fast track courts.- (1) The State 

Government, may after consultation with the High Court, by notification, 

designate a District Courts as Special Fast Track Court for the purpose of 

trying the cases pertaining to crimes in the name of honour and offences 

under this Act. 

 (2) Such Special Fast Track Court shall exercise all jurisdiction 

exercisable by the District Court under any law for the time being in force in 

respect of any proceedings under this Act: 

Provided that the Courts so established or specified shall have power to 

directly take cognizance of offences under this Act. 



      (3) It shall be the duty of the State Government to establish adequate 

number of Courts to ensure that cases under this Act are disposed of within 

a period of two months, as far as possible. 

         (4) The concerned District Judge presiding over a designated Special 

Fast Track Court shall receive prior training on this Act, in such manner as 

may be prescribed.  

 (5) In every trial in the Special Court, the proceedings shall be 

continued from day-to-day until all the witnesses in attendance have been 

examined, unless the Special Court finds the adjournment of the same beyond 

the following day to be necessary for reasons to be recorded in writing: 

Provided that when the trial relates to an offence under this Act, the 

trial shall, as far as possible, be completed within a period of two months from 

the date of filing of the charge sheet. 

 26. Appeals.- (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of Bharathiya 

Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitha, 2023 (Central Act 46 of 2023), or in any other 

law an appeal shall lie from every judgment or order under this Act to the 

High Court. 

           (2) Every appeal under this Section shall be preferred within a period 

of ninety days from the date of the judgment or order under this Act: 

Provided that the High Court may entertain an appeal after the expiry 

of the said period of ninety days if it is satisfied that the appellant had 

sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the period of ninety days: 

 (3) Every appeal preferred under sub-section (1) shall, as far as possible, 

be disposed of within a period of three months from the date of admission of 

the appeal. 

27. Application of Bharathiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitha, 2023.- 

Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the provisions of the Bharathiya 

Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitha, 2023 (Central Act 46 of 2023) shall apply to the 

proceedings under this Act.  

28. Act to be in addition to other laws.- Save as otherwise provided in 

this Act, the provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation 

to the provisions of any other law for the  time being in force. 

29. Power to make rules.- (1) The State Government may after previous 

Publication in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the provisions 

of  this Act.  

           (2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be 

after it is made, before each house of the State legislature, while it is in session 

for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in 

two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session 

immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both 

the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council agree in making any  

 



 

 

modification in the rule or both agree that the rule should not be made, the 

rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, 

as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment 

shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under 

that rule. 

 

The above translation of ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ವಿವಾಹದಲಿ್ಲ  ಆಯೆ್ಕಯ ಸ್ವಾ ತಂತ್್ರ ಯ  ಹಾಗೂ 

ಮರ್ಯಾದೆ ಮತ್ತು  ಸಂಪ್್ದಾಯದ ಹೆಸರಿನಲಿ್ಲನ ಅಪ್ರಾಧಗಳ ಪ್್ತಿಬಂಧಕ ಮತ್ತು  ನಿಷೇಧ 

(ಇವ ನಮಮ ವ ಇವ ನಮಮ ವ) ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ, 2026  (2026ರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ ಸಂಖ್ಯಯ : 

26) be published in the official Gazette under clause (3) of Article 348 of the  

constitution of India.  

 
 

THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT 

GOVERNOR OF KARANATAKA 

By Order and in the name of 

the Governor of Karnataka, 
 

                                                                          
G. SRIDHAR 

Secretary to Government 

Department of Parliamentary 

Affairs and Legislation