Nagpur: A minor girl gave birth to a baby boy at a govt medical college and hospital in the city, prompting police to register a case against her mother and others.According to police, the girl was married to a man much older than her nearly a year ago. “They brought her to the govt medical college and hospital after she experienced labour pain. The girl was aged 17 years, 11 months and 21 days at the time of delivery. As she was still a minor, a case of rape, violation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, was registered,” police said.Besides her mother, the accused named in the FIR include her husband, his parents, the person who solemnised the marriage, and others. The offence was registered at Tehsil police station.“The girl was married after her father’s death. Her mother wanted to settle her and her siblings as early as possible and, in a hurry, got her minor daughter married to a 28-year-old man. Based on the minor’s statement, an offence was registered and notices were issued to the accused. No arrests have been made so far,” police said.Senior police inspector Sanjay Mendhe of Tehsil police station said preliminary inquiries indicated that the girl was married shortly after turning 17. “The matter came to light as the childbirth took place at a govt hospital,” Mendhe said.Mendhe said the minor told police she was happy with her husband and in-laws and had not alleged torture, forced sexual relations, or pressure to become a mother. Police, however, said the case involves statutory offences and are seeking legal opinion before taking further action.The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rape, the POCSO Act, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Further action will be taken based on legal advice, police said.
