Shocking Discovery: Father Arrested for Allegedly Registering Teenager's Birth as Infant in Karnataka

In a disturbing incident that has sent ripples across Karnataka, an alert government official in Shivamogga successfully foiled an alleged attempt by a father to falsify his 15-year-old daughter's age, raising serious concerns about child protection and the persistent issue of child marriage. The father, hailing from Vijayapura district, was apprehended after trying to register the birth of his teenage daughter as if she were a newborn.

The incident unfolded at a local birth registration center in Shivamogga.

The father, identified as Basavaraj from Sindagi taluk of Vijayapura district, presented his 15-year-old daughter for birth registration. However, the girl's physical appearance starkly contradicted the claim of her being an infant. Her obvious age difference immediately triggered suspicion among the vigilant staff at the registration office.

Upon close scrutiny and questioning, the staff members grew increasingly doubtful of Basavaraj's claims.

When confronted with the glaring discrepancy between his assertion and the girl's clear teenage features, Basavaraj reportedly confessed that the girl was indeed 15 years old. This admission unraveled the grave nature of his intentions, strongly suggesting an attempt to illegally alter her age on official records, potentially to facilitate an unlawful child marriage or other forms of exploitation.

Acting swiftly and responsibly, the dedicated officials at the birth registration center did not hesitate to involve law enforcement.

The Shivamogga police were immediately informed of the attempted fraud. Following their intervention, Basavaraj was taken into custody, and a formal case has been registered against him. The police have launched a thorough investigation to ascertain the full extent of his motives, including whether this was an isolated incident or part of a larger scheme, and if there are any other individuals involved.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the continuous challenges faced by society in combating child marriage and ensuring the safety and rights of minors.

It also highlights the critical role played by vigilant public servants in identifying and preventing such illegal activities. Authorities are committed to delving deeper into the matter to ensure justice is served and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.