Chandigarh, April 24
A 15-year-old girl has delivered a baby in Jalandhar months after she was allegedly raped by a 16-year-old boy in Amritsar, following which police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act and relevant provisions of law, officials said.
According to police, the girl, a Class 9 student, had been staying with her aunt in Jalandhar for the past several months. The matter came to light after she was taken to a hospital following complaints of abdominal pain, where she was later found to be pregnant.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Phillaur, Bharat Masih, said a Zero FIR has been registered in the case, as the alleged incident took place in Amritsar. He confirmed that the accused is a 16-year-old boy.
The girl’s aunt, who filed the complaint, said the minor initially complained of abdominal pain about a month and a half ago and was taken to a private doctor in Nurmahal, Jalandhar, where medication was prescribed.
She added that on April 19, the girl again suffered severe pain and was admitted to a private hospital in Phillaur, from where she was referred to another facility and diagnosed with pregnancy. The girl later gave birth to a baby in the hospital.
The aunt stated that upon questioning, the minor disclosed that she was allegedly raped by a boy from Amritsar who lived in her locality. Following this statement, a complaint was lodged with the police.
Police said a case was registered on April 20 at a police station under the Jalandhar Rural jurisdiction. The accused has been booked under the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Officials also clarified that a Zero FIR allows a case to be registered at any police station, irrespective of jurisdiction, and that it is later transferred to the concerned police station.
Police said the investigation into the matter is ongoing and all legal formalities are being followed under the provisions of child protection laws. Officials added that the Zero FIR has already been forwarded to the concerned jurisdiction for further action, and the case will proceed as per law after completion of the necessary procedural steps.
