Mumbai police have taken strong action against a shocking case of child marriage and sexual assault. Authorities have officially booked a 25-year-old man for marrying a 15-year-old girl and subsequently getting her pregnant.
Stringent POCSO Sections Invoked
Beyond charging the accused with rape, the police have invoked the stringent sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This legal move underscores the serious nature of the crime involving a minor.
Hospital Alert Leads to Case Discovery
The entire case came to light after hospital authorities informed the police about a minor girl giving birth to a child. This crucial information triggered immediate police intervention and investigation.
Family Members Also Face Charges
The Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) police station registered the case on Tuesday. Investigators have also booked the groom's parents and one relative. According to the official complaint, these family members allegedly facilitated the marriage despite knowing the girl was under eighteen years old.
Police reports indicate the marriage ceremony took place in the presence of the girl's own parents and close relatives. This detail raises serious questions about family complicity in the illegal union.
Living Arrangements and Pregnancy
After the marriage, the accused allegedly lived with the minor girl at Bharat Nagar in BKC, Bandra (East). It was during this cohabitation that she became pregnant and later delivered a child.
The young mother received necessary medical treatment at Bhabha Hospital following the childbirth. Her current condition and that of the newborn remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Ongoing Investigation and Manhunt
Police authorities have confirmed that further investigation is actively underway. Officers are working to trace the accused man who remains at large. The probe aims to verify all circumstances leading to the alleged child marriage and the subsequent pregnancy.
This case highlights the persistent issue of child marriage in certain communities despite strict laws against it. The invocation of POCSO sections demonstrates the legal system's commitment to protecting minors from sexual exploitation.
