From victim to accused: Karnataka man claims murder attempt by minor wife; faces child marriage, Pocso charges

RAICHUR: Marriage, deep differences, mutual separation and arrest - all in three months. A 22-year-old agricultural labourer's dream life swung from purple-prose marriage to high drama on a bridge to now attending police inquiry - and a possible arrest - on charges of marrying an underaged girl.

About 10 days after Thatappa alias Tataiah from Shaktinagar, near Raichur, alleged his wife Gangavva (name changed) pushed him off the Krishna bridge in the district into the river in a bid to kill him, the groom has been booked under Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. Police said the marriage took place in Raichur on April 18. However, it hit a rough patch within weeks and their families, too, were at daggers drawn, turning any reconciliatory efforts futile.

Thatappa and Gangavva went to the Gurjapur barrage in the district on a bike on July 11. While pretending to take his photograph on the bridge, the woman allegedly pushed him into the river. Thathappa fell into the river in a splash, but soon emerged overground unscathed. A video of the incident came into the public domain a few days later and became viral. Soon, the couple parted ways by mutual consent, without the legal sanction of a divorce, after the bridge fiasco.

Probe revealed Thatappa's wife is a minor. Raichur Women's Police filed charges against Thatappa, his mother, and the bride's mother under the Prohibiiton of Child Marriage Act. Officials from State Child Rights Commission and women and child welfare department were notified. Subsequently, panchayat development officer Ravikumar of Devasugur gram panchayat filed a formal police report regarding the incident.

The district's child protection unit has sent the minor to the district girls' home.Shashidhar Kosambe, a member of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said Thatappa and the minor lived together as a couple for a short period. Therefore, a case under Pocso should be filed against him. If not, the commission will initiate a suo motu case. Yadgir district child protection officer sent a letter to the Raichur DCPO requesting that a case be filed against the man and others under Child Marriage Act and Pocso.