Odisha tenth grader gives birth after sexual harassment; parents unaware of daughter's pregnancy

In a shocking incident a 15-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital after she complained of severe stomach pain, was declared 8-months pregnant. An initial police investigation revealed that the girl had been sexually abused for the past year leading to the pregnancy. The girl delivered a healthy male child at the Patkura Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kendrapara district, Odisha. This is the second time this month that a minor girl has been a victim of sexual abuse that has led to pregnancy.

The girl was rushed to the hospital after she complained of severe abdominal pain. After a checkup, the doctor announced that she was about eight months pregnant. Unwilling to accept the truth, the parents engaged in a heated exchange with the doctor who had advised immediate admission considering the girl's weak health condition. A few hours later, the minor gave birth to a boy. Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Kendrapara, Rajiv Lochan Panda said, it was a normal delivery. Both the girl and her newborn have been shifted to government-run short stay home in Korua village.

The girl studies in Class X and was staying with her parents. After being informed about the incident, police rushed to the hospital and started an investigation. Even though it was found that the girl was being sexually abused for the last one year leading to pregnancy, the identity of the culprit has not been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.

A case has been filed under Section-376 and Sections-4 and 8 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act (PCSCA), 2012. The victim will be produced in court to give her statement as per Section-164 (5) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

It may be recalled that a 15-year-old tribal girl gave birth to a child at Danagadi CHC in Jajpur district a few hours after her appearance in court to record her statement. Police arrested the accused, Pintu Jena, supervisor of a private construction company, for sexually abusing and impregnating the girl. The girl, in this case, revealed everything to an Asha worker in her area, who informed her family members when she was six months pregnant.