Hubballi-Dharwad Police Probe Two POCSO Cases Involving Minor Girls
Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar told reporters that the first case came to light after the police received information that a minor had delivered a baby at a private hospital
Hubballi: Hubballi-Dharwad City Police have launched a comprehensive investigation into two separate cases involving minor girls who became pregnant, one of whom is alleged to have conceived for a second time despite having delivered a child earlier at the age of 15.
Police have registered cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and are probing both incidents from all angles.
Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar told reporters that the first case came to light after the police received information that a minor had delivered a baby at a private hospital.
Both the mother and the newborn are stated to be in stable condition. However, the girl's parents had neither informed the police nor the Department of Women and Child Development about the incident. The minor has also not recorded her statement as she is reportedly suffering from post-delivery complications.
During the investigation of the case, police came across another disturbing case involving the first girl's 15-year-old cousin, who had earlier delivered a child and is now reportedly pregnant again.
The Commissioner said statements from both girls are yet to be recorded as they are said to be not medically fit to be questioned. In the meantime, investigators have begun collecting evidence and examining all possible circumstances that led to the pregnancies and are trying to find the accused.
"In the second case, the child born earlier to the minor was reportedly sent to the relatives living near Karwar for treatment after developing health complications. We are verifying the family's claim," the Commissioner said.
Police officials would verify whether the child was indeed taken for medical treatment or whether there was any other motive, including the possibility that the child had been illegally handed over or sold.
Investigators will question family members, relatives and others connected with both cases to ascertain whether anyone had supported or concealed the incidents. Police said appropriate legal action would be initiated once the identities of the accused are established and the sequence of events is ascertained.
"In both the cases, we will identify the accused and proceed as per law," the Commissioner added.