Bengaluru, January 4, 2026
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday pledged to establish a fast-track court to ensure swift justice in the brutal honour killing of 20-year-old Manya Patil, a pregnant woman from the Lingayat community who was allegedly murdered by her own family for marrying a Dalit man.
The horrific incident unfolded on December 21, 2025, in Inam Veerapur village, Hubballi taluk of Dharwad district, when Manya, who was seven months pregnant, was savagely assaulted with iron sprinkler pipes by her father, Shankarappa Patil, and two brothers. The attack stemmed from the family's outrage over her inter-caste marriage to Vivekananda Doddamani, a 22-year-old Dalit youth she had met on social media and eloped with earlier that month. Manya had returned home briefly from a relative's place in anticipation of her delivery, only to be lured and killed in a fit of caste-driven rage.
Hubballi-Dharwad police swiftly arrested Manya's father and two brothers following a complaint by her husband, Vivekananda, who alleged the family had orchestrated the murder to preserve their "honour." The case has been registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for murder and conspiracy. Security has been beefed up in the village to prevent backlash, amid heightened tensions between communities.
Addressing the tragedy in a strongly worded statement, Siddaramaiah emphasized, "Ensuring a swift investigation into the honour killing of Manya and delivering justice to the affected family is our top priority. In this context, the government will take steps to establish a fast-track court." He highlighted that the SC/ST Act mandates filing a charge sheet within 60 days, and the state is appointing special public prosecutors to expedite prosecution. The Chief Minister condemned the "despicable acts that shame human society," vowing zero tolerance for caste-based violence, forced marriages, or honour killings. He further announced plans to introduce a stringent special law against such crimes during the next legislative session, coupled with awareness campaigns to combat deep-rooted caste prejudices.
The case has sparked widespread outrage, with Dalit organizations like the Karnataka State Dalit Sangharsh Samiti demanding capital punishment for the perpetrators and labeling the killing an assault on humanity. The Lingayat community, to which Manya's family belongs, observed a day of penance in nearby Gadag on January 2, denouncing the murder as a betrayal of their egalitarian values. Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa echoed the CM's call for a new law, stating that discussions are underway to name it after Manya Patil as a tribute.
This tragedy underscores the persistent menace of honour killings in Karnataka, where at least a dozen such cases have been reported in the past year alone. Activists urge immediate implementation of preventive measures, including community sensitization and stricter enforcement of existing laws. The investigation continues, with forensic reports pending to confirm the cause of death.
This report draws from official statements and verified news sources. For support against caste or gender-based violence, contact Karnataka's women's helpline at 181.
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