2nd case of baby born in toilet in 06 months, POCSO Case filed
baby girl is under treatment, father absconding: PaaLoNaa
01 July 2024, Kolar, Karnataka
Team PaaLoNaa
A minor girl student gave birth to a baby in the toilet of a private college in Kolar. The incident has shocked students and staff at the college. The girl and newborn were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment. A case has been registered at the Kolar police station regarding this incident. Police are trying to identify the youth who impregnated the minor girl.
Baby born in college toilet
PaaLoNaa received this information from Khushbu Vats in Lucknow. She shared a news link, according to it the girl, a first-year PUC student at a private college on the outskirts of Kolar, had suddenly complained of stomach pain and gone to the toilet. She then gave birth to a baby in the toilet itself. Female staff members who rushed to the spot immediately took the girl and newborn to the hospital.
We explored various news reports; none mentioned the baby’s gender, while some provided contradictory information.
We explored various news reports; none mentioned the baby’s gender, while some provided contradictory information. We then contacted Bengaluru media senior journalist Nehal Kidwai, who confirmed with the District Health Officer (DHO) in Kolar that the baby is a girl.
Love affair for 2 years
As per local media reports, the minor girl from Srinivaspur taluk and a youth from Mulbagal taluk had been in a relationship for the past two years. The youth who impregnated the minor girl is currently absconding.
Currently, the mother and child have been admitted to a private hospital where they are undergoing treatment.
Newborn’s Condition Critical
The health condition of the newborn baby is critical and she is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. As it was a premature birth, the baby weighs only 1.50 kg and is suffering from respiratory issues and lung problems. The minor girl (baby’s mother) has reportedly stated that she does not want to keep the baby and is willing to give it up for adoption. The girl’s parents have agreed to cooperate for the baby’s treatment.
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Legal Implications
As the girl is a minor, this case falls under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Police have registered a case under under Sections 6 (Aggregated Penetrative Sexual Assault) and 372(2)(n) (repeated rape of the same woman) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and of the IPC.
at the Kolar Women’s Police Station and are searching for the accused youth.The accused, if found to be an adult, could face severe punishment under this law. Even if the accused is also a minor, he may face proceedings under the Juvenile Justice Act.
The incident raises questions about how the girl’s pregnancy went unnoticed for so long. There may be a need to review protocols in educational institutions to identify and support students who may be pregnant.
Support for the Mother and Child
The immediate priority is to ensure proper medical care for both the young mother and newborn. The premature baby will likely need specialized neonatal care. Psychological counseling should also be provided to help the minor girl cope with this traumatic experience.
If the girl chooses to give up the baby for adoption, proper legal procedures must be followed to ensure the child’s welfare. The girl should also be provided support to continue her education if she wishes to do so.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for society to address the issue of teen pregnancies more proactively. By working together to educate and empower our youth, we can hope to prevent such tragic situations in the future.
Don’t rely solely on abstinence-only education: PaaLoNaa
In light of this unfortunate incident, here are some important do’s and don’ts to help prevent teenage pregnancies:
Do’s:
- *Promote abstinence as the most effective way to prevent pregnancy
- *Provide comprehensive sex education in schools
- *Encourage open communication between parents and teens about sexual health
- *Make contraceptives easily accessible to sexually active teens
- *Offer counseling services for at-risk youth
- *Empower girls through education and career opportunities
- *Involve boys/men in pregnancy prevention efforts
- *Address poverty and lack of opportunities that contribute to teen pregnancy
Don’ts:
- *Don’t shame or stigmatize teens who become pregnant
- *Don’t deny teens access to sexual health information and services
- *Don’t rely solely on abstinence-only education
- *Don’t ignore the role of peer pressure and media influences
- *Don’t blame victims of sexual abuse or coercion
- *Don’t overlook cultural factors that may impact teen pregnancy rates
- *Don’t assume all teen pregnancies are unintended
- *Don’t neglect mental health support for pregnant and parenting teens
Need For Awareness and Support
This incident highlights the critical need for greater awareness about sexual and reproductive health among adolescents. Schools, parents, and society at large must work together to educate teens about the risks and consequences of unprotected sexual activity.
At the same time, it’s important to provide non-judgmental support to teens who do become pregnant. Access to proper medical care, counseling, and educational support can help ensure better outcomes for both the young mother and child.
Earlier this year, a similar incident took place in Karnataka, where a 14-year-old girl from a government residential school delivered a baby boy in a hospital. This led to the registration of a rape case under the IPC and POCSO Act. The girl was residing in the hostel of a government boarding school in Tumakuru district.
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This report is part of PaaLoNaa’s ongoing efforts to prevent infanticide and unsafe abandonment of newborns in India.