With 156 cases in 4 years, Bengaluru2nd in Karnataka’s child pregnancy cases | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: The city’s growing image as a hub of innovation and opportunity masks a grim reality unfolding quietly within its homes. Even as startups flourish and young dreams take flight, Bengaluru has emerged as one of Karnataka’s hotspots for teenage pregnancies—an issue largely hidden due to social stigma.Data made available by the state govt during the winter session of the legislature revealed that over the past four years, around 2,300 cases of child pregnancies were reported to child welfare committees across the state. Bengaluru Urban accounted for 156 of these cases, second only to Shivamogga which reported 163 incidents. In 2025 alone, the city recorded 17 cases until Oct, contributing to a statewide total of 521, according to the women and child development department.While child marriage remains a factor, women and child development minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, in her reply, pointed out that gaps in the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, have limited early intervention to prevent such cases. Amendments proposed in Karnataka aim to make even attempts at child marriage a punishable offence. She also noted that many teenage pregnancies are due to romantic relationships. “The parents/survivors’ families do not cooperate, fearing social stigma, leading to the accused getting acquitted without punishment. The law department has been requested to take necessary steps to increase punishment in Pocso cases,” the minister clarified.Contrary to the belief that teenage pregnancies are confined to rural or economically backward regions, urban centres such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, and Chikkamagaluru are reporting higher cases. Former child welfare committee member and advocate Anjali Ramanna says urban adolescence comes with its own vulnerabilities. “In cities like Bengaluru, relationships, experimentation, and even one-night encounters among adolescents can lead to underage pregnancies, especially in the 16–18 age group,” she pointed out.She also flagged deeply disturbing cases of incest, often hidden within cramped urban households where privacy is scarce. “In one of the cases, siblings became inquisitive and wanted to experiment, and the girl ended up being pregnant. In yet another case, a daughter was impregnated by her father and the mother hushed up the matter and pretended like she gave birth to the baby,” she recalled while highlighting that the families frequently suppress complaints to avoid shame, allowing abuse to go unpunished.Hebbalkar outlined comprehensive measures, including capacity-building training for officials at district and taluk levels; 24×7 Child Helpline-1098 for rescues; quarterly reviews by district child protection committees; awareness via radio, schools, and campaigns; and welfare support through committees, police units, and institutions.———BlurbContrary to the belief that teenage pregnancies are confined to rural or economically backward regions, urban centres such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru and Chikkamagaluru are reporting higher cases ———GFXDistricts with high underage pregnancy incidenceDistrict2025 – 26 (Till Oct)2024 – 252023 – 242022 – 23Shivamogga20555236Bengaluru Urban17285556Chikkamagaluru9405135Haveri18583713Kolar17256112 Source: Women and Child Development Department
