Mumbai: Alert doctors flag minor girl’s pregnancy, ‘husband’ arrested

The hospital informed the cops when they found that the girl was only 12 years old. Representation pic

A 28-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 12 and half-year-old girl. The incident came to light when the victim became pregnant and the accused took her to a local government hospital for a medical check-up.

Upon examination, the doctors suspected that the girl was a minor. They inquired about her age and found out that she was only 12 years, 7 months and 23 days old. This prompted the hospital staff to alert the Charkop police.

Subsequently, a case was registered against the accused under the relevant IPC Sections pertaining to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He was arrested soon after.

"During the investigation, we found out that the accused was also the girl's husband. They got married in Bihar earlier this year with the consent of their families. After a few months they moved to Mumbai and have been living in a rented house since June 19," said an officer. He added that the incident came to light after the girl experienced abdominal pain and was taken to Shatabdi Hospital by the accused.

According to the police, they are now preparing to take action against both families involved in the case. "This may include booking them under relevant Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and POCSO," said an officer from Charkop police station.

Meanwhile, the accused was produced before court and remanded to police custody. Further investigations are underway.

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The age of the husband