Siddaramaiah vows fast-track trial in honour killing of pregnant woman

"Since this is an atrocity case, a chargesheet must be filed within 60 days. Therefore, steps have been taken to appoint a private prosecutor," Siddaramaiah said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said ensuring swift investigation and justice in the alleged honour killing of a young pregnant woman was the state government’s top priority and it will take steps to establish a fast-track court for speedy trial in the case. He announced that a Bill will be introduced in the next session of the legislature to curb such crimes.

Twenty-year-old Manya Patil, a pregnant woman from the Lingayat community, was allegedly killed by her relatives in Hubballi taluk on December 21 for marrying a Dalit youth seven months ago. Her father and two relatives allegedly attacked her when she was working in a field at Inam Veerapur village in Dharwad district.

“In connection with the honour killing of a young woman named Manya from Inam Veerapur in Hubballi taluk, our priority is to take up the case for speedy trial and to ensure justice for the victim. Accordingly, the government will take steps to establish a fast-track court. A case has been registered on charges of murder and atrocities against Dalits. Since this is an atrocity case, a chargesheet must be filed within 60 days. Therefore, steps have been taken to appoint a private prosecutor,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on X.

Forcing a woman into marriage against her will or denying her marriage wishes, caste-based violence, assault and honour killing are heinous acts that bring shame to the entire human society, he said. “To curb such crimes in the future and to create awareness among people about the law, a special legislation will be introduced. This matter will be discussed in the upcoming session of the legislature, and an appropriate decision will be taken,” he said.

Manya’s was among the three cases of honour killings reported in Karnataka in 2025. In April, a 17-year-old girl from Kuruba community was allegedly killed by her father at Raichur after she eloped with a boy from the SC community. In September, 18-year-old Kavita from the Lingayat community was allegedly killed by her father over her relationship with a boy from the Kuruba community.