Raped in Odisha, minor gives birth in Bengaluru
In a shocking incident, a 16-year-old girl, who was gang-raped in Odisha in January 2019 gave birth while mopping the floor of an apartment in Bengaluru in November. The minor started working at the apartment soon after she came from Odisha to Karnataka in August. After the child was born, the victim told investigating agencies about the horror she went through. Here's what happened.
A report in TOI said the minor was squatting while cleaning the floor and suddenly found herself in a pool of blood. The delivery happened spontaneously after which the girl and her child were rushed to a government hospital. Thereafter, a case was registered under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and it was brought to the attention of the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
During the probe, the survivor told police she was violated in Odisha last year and came to Karnataka in August. In Bengaluru, she lived with her cousins, who also work as house-helps. Authorities sent the girl and her baby to an NGO and she returned to Odisha in January 2020. Meanwhile, members of CWC said the sudden delivery was absolutely shocking.
"The girl refused to give away her child for adoption and wanted to take care of her of her. Odisha police have registered a POCSO case and investigation is on," said CWC chairperson Anjali Ramanna.
About her pregnancy going unnoticed for months, an official said her employers noticed the victim put on some weight but she said she didn't get much to eat in Odisha, but was eating well in the new city. Sripada Vinekar, a gynecologist based in Bengaluru, told the daily that either the victim was hiding her pregnancy or she herself was unaware of it.
"For many girls, soon after puberty, the menstrual cycle is not regular. The girl hid details about the rape. She was either ignorant about being pregnant or didn't reveal that too. She must have experienced pain while delivering the baby," she added.
