Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the name of Honour and Tradition (Eva Nammava Eva Nammava) Act, 2026

Civil202629 sections

This new law grants all individuals the right to marry without external pressure, declaring that consent from parents or caste leaders is unnecessary. It specifically targets intercaste marriages and any efforts to stop them. The legislation defines social and economic boycott as a serious offense, listing harmful conduct such as isolating couples, denying access to services, seizing property, or preventing children from attending school. By criminalizing these coercive practices that violate personal liberty and family autonomy, the Act aims to protect citizens from traditional honor-based crimes and ensure freedom of marriage choice.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 1. Short title and commencement
  2. 2. Definitions
  3. 3. Freedom to marry
  4. 4. Declaration by a couple who intend to go for inter-caste marriage
  5. 5. Prohibition of crimes in the name of honour or tradition
  6. 6. Prohibition of unlawful assembly
  7. 7. Power of court to issue injunctions
  8. 8. Killing in the name of Honour
  9. 9. Grievous hurt and Injury
  10. 10. Crimes in the name of honour or tradition and any other act to prevent exercise of rights under section 3.
  11. 11. Criminal intimidation
  12. 12. Unlawful assembly
  13. 13. Tampering with evidence
  14. 14. Punishment for abetment, attempt or conspiracy
  15. 15. Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable
  16. 16. Rights of Persons exercising their rights under section 3 and victims of any offence under this Act
  17. 17. Duty to provide protection and provision of safe-houses
  18. 18. Duty of public servant
  19. 19. Power to prohibit certain acts and taking preventive measures
  20. 20. Failure to perform duty under the Act
  21. 21. Mandatory reporting
  22. 22. Duties of the State Government to ensure effective implementation of the Act
  23. 23. Constitution of monitoring committees
  24. 24. Eva Nammava Vedike
  25. 25. Establishment of special fast track courts
  26. 26. Appeals
  27. 27. Application of Bharathiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitha, 2023
  28. 28. Act to be in addition to other laws
  29. 29. Power to make rules

PDF: pending for this language.