Ludhiana: City police have launched a manhunt for a local man after a 16-year-old girl gave birth to a baby boy on Monday, leading to a formal investigation into allegations of sexual assault and exploitation.The minor reported that the suspect had befriended her while her family had been coordinating a marriage between her mother and the suspect’s elder brother. She alleged the man exploited her under a false promise of marriage, leading to an assault at her house in June 2025.The complainant has alleged that the suspect refused to honour his commitment to marry her after she became pregnant. She sought police assistance following the birth of the child on May 4.Sub-Inspector Karan Inderjit Singh confirmed that police had registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The suspect also faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 65 (1) and 64 (2) (M) for rape committed against a minor under 16 and for obtaining consent through a false promise of marriage.The suspect remains on the run, and investigators claim to be tracking his whereabouts.
