Popular Kannada folk singer and YouTuber Music Mailari, alongside six others including fellow performers Shankar Athani, Danavi, Rukmini, Benki Latha, and DJ Mahantesh, stand booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl from Belagavi district during an orchestra event on 24 October 2025 in Mahalingapur, Bagalkot district, Karnataka.
The complaint, lodged on 14 December at Chikkodi police station and swiftly transferred to Mahalingapur the following day, details how the group allegedly lured the young dancer to a lodge on the town’s outskirts, assaulted her, and recorded the act; police have filed an FIR under relevant POCSO provisions and initiated a comprehensive investigation, though no arrests have occurred yet.
Bagalkot Superintendent of Police Siddarth Goyal confirmed the case transfer and stressed adherence to legal protocols, while the accused remain silent publicly amid growing scrutiny. This unfolding probe, amplified by Mailari’s widespread online fame, spotlights urgent child protection gaps at rural cultural gatherings.
Detailed Allegations Unfold
The minor girl, who journeyed from Belagavi to showcase her dance skills at the lively Hanumantha Devara Okuli orchestra programme, became the centre of a harrowing ordeal, according to the police complaint.
Music Mailari, a prominent figure in Karnataka’s folk music scene celebrated for viral YouTube tracks such as ‘Bagalkoti Bus Standnyaga Nintaala Kadabidaki’, and his co-performers reportedly approached her post-performance, enticing her away under false pretences before subjecting her to assault at the lodge.
The gravity intensifies with claims of video recording, potentially invoking stricter POCSO clauses that carry severe penalties, including lengthy imprisonment.
Bagalkot SP Siddarth Goyal addressed the media with measured resolve: “The complaint reached Chikkodi station on 14 December and moved to Mahalingapur by 15 December; we have registered the FIR against all named individuals under POCSO sections and are pursuing a detailed inquiry.”
This includes mandatory medical examinations for the victim, collection of forensic evidence, and interviews with eyewitnesses from the event. The family’s anguish adds a human layer, as they seek not just justice but measures to shield other children from similar vulnerabilities in crowded, festive settings where performers hold sway over young fans.
Broader Context and Delayed Disclosure
This incident, reported nearly two months after the fact, underscores persistent challenges in rural Karnataka, where orchestra events in districts like Bagalkot, Vijayapura, and Belagavi draw thousands for folk songs, dances, and exuberant entertainment.
Such programmes, often held late into the night at makeshift venues, blend cultural vibrancy with risks previous reports from the region have flagged issues like inadequate lighting, lax security, and unchecked interactions between artists and minors seeking opportunities.
Music Mailari, hailing from Koppal district, built his stardom through dynamic Janapada performances and social media, amassing followers who now grapple with the contrast between his public image and these grave accusations.
Police efforts now encompass scrutinising event logistics, such as entry logs and available CCTV footage from nearby areas, while navigating the complexities of delayed reporting possibly stemming from the victim’s fear, family pressures, or stigma in conservative communities.
Advocacy groups have long urged reforms, including mandatory child protection officers at events, parental awareness drives, and collaborations between local authorities and artists’ associations.
No prior complaints against Mailari surface in records, yet this case reignites debates on fame’s responsibilities and the need for proactive safeguards in North Karnataka’s thriving yet unregulated cultural circuit.
Rising Calls for Safeguards
Beyond the immediate probe, the episode ripples into wider conversations on child rights in India’s festive landscapes. Karnataka’s police have ramped up POCSO awareness campaigns in recent years, training officers in sensitive handling and partnering with NGOs for victim support helplines.
Yet, statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau reveal a troubling uptick in such offences at public events, with over 50,000 POCSO cases nationwide in 2024 alone, prompting demands for legislation mandating background checks for performers and real-time monitoring apps for parents.
In Bagalkot specifically, district officials hint at reviewing event permits post-investigation, potentially introducing stricter norms like age-segregated zones and female security personnel.
The involvement of multiple accused, spanning singers and a DJ, paints a picture of group dynamics that exploit power imbalances, a pattern seen in prior high-profile cases across the state.
As media coverage explodes via YouTube channels and Kannada news portals, public sentiment mixes outrage with cautious calls for due process, ensuring the investigation unfolds without prejudicing outcomes. This moment offers a chance to fortify community vigilance, blending tradition with modern protections.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian unequivocally denounces all violence against children, championing empathy, accountability, and systemic change to cultivate safer, more harmonious communities where the young thrive without fear.
This tragedy demands urgent dialogue among event organisers, law enforcement, artists, and families to embed kindness at the heart of cultural celebrations through training, oversight, and open conversations that prioritise coexistence over exploitation.
