Sat Jan 18 19:24:29 UTC 2025: ## Family of 12 Arrested for Forcibly Marrying Off Minor Girl in Belagavi
**Belagavi, Karnataka, January 19, 2025** – Belagavi police have arrested 12 members of a family for allegedly forcing a minor tribal girl into marriage. The girl’s parents had defaulted on a ₹50,000 loan they had taken from the accused family, pledging gold ornaments as collateral. The accused, led by Vishal Dhawali, who married the girl, allegedly used the debt as leverage to coerce the marriage.
The police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dhawali, his parents Renuka and Pundalik, his brother Shyam, and eight other unidentified individuals. The FIR cites violations of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
According to the complaint, the girl was taken from town to town against her will and married without the knowledge or consent of her relatives. The incident occurred in September 2024. Police have assured that all legal measures are being taken against the accused.
First Piper 