Karnataka: Class 9 Student of Govt School Delivers Baby, Police Register POCSO Case

During counseling, she disclosed that a fellow student, a minor boy who is her school senior, impregnated her. However, the boy denied the allegation.

A Class 9 student of a government residential school delivered a baby boy at a hospital in Chikkaballapuram, the police said on Thursday. The girl was eight months pregnant at the time of giving birth to the baby. Following this, a rape was registered under IPC and POCSO. The 14-year-old girl was a resident in the government residential school hostel in Tumakuru district, Karnataka.

The crime came to light when she returned home to Bagepalli taluk in Chikkaballapura district, complaining of stomach pain. Her parents took her to a hospital where after an examination, doctors determined she was pregnant, as reported by the police.

Subsequently, the girl was admitted to the hospital. Following a medical check-up and necessary tests, doctors performed the delivery on January 9. Despite being underweight, both the girl and the baby are reported to be stable, according to a senior police officer.

Upon being informed by hospital authorities, the police registered a case under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections of the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act.

The Child Welfare Committee provided counseling for the girl. During these sessions, she disclosed that a fellow student, a minor boy who is her school senior, impregnated her. However, during questioning, the boy denied the allegations, as stated by the officer.

"We have registered a case in the matter but have not made any arrest in connection with the incident yet. The girl and her parents are not opening up. They are being counselled. The girl is not consistent with her statements. She also mentioned the name of another boy, again a school senior. So, we are questioning all of them to find out who was responsible," the officer said.