Kasaragod: A 17-year-old girl, allegedly sexually assaulted by her maternal uncle, gave birth to a baby boy in Kasaragod district. The repeated sexual abuse came to light when the girl's parents attempted to hand over the newborn to an orphanage in Thalassery. The Badiadka police have arrested the 39-year-old accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The accused is married and has three children, according to the police. The survivor, who had completed her Class XII and was staying at home, was allegedly assaulted by her maternal uncle during this period.

The girl sought medical attention at a private hospital for severe abdominal pain, where a doctor recommended a scan. Fearing exposure, the family left the hospital and visited another, claiming the girl was 19 and married. A scan confirmed her pregnancy. To conceal the pregnancy, the family, with the help of the mother's relatives, moved her to a rented house in Bekal, near Kanhangad, over 50 km from their home.

In July, the girl gave birth at a private hospital in Kanhangad, said police. The hospital raised no concerns, as the family claimed she was an adult and married. After returning home, the family decided to abandon the baby, but, fearing legal repercussions, opted to place the child in an orphanage in Thalassery.

Suspecting inconsistencies in the parents' account, the orphanage authorities alerted the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Kannur. Finding the circumstances suspicious, the CWC informed the Thalassery police. "We were notified by the CWC, and we alerted the Badiadka police," said Thalassery SHO. After recording the girl's statement, the police registered a case under the POCSO Act and arrested the accused.

This case follows another disturbing incident in Kasaragod, where Hosdurg police arrested a 48-year-old man last week for impregnating his 15-year-old daughter. The Class X student gave birth at home and was admitted to a private hospital in Kanhangad due to excessive bleeding.