A 16-year-old Class 10 student residing at the Sri D. Devaraj Urs Pre-Matric Girls Hostel in Koppal district delivered a baby boy inside the hostel washroom early on Wednesday.
The incident has led the Kukanoor Police registering a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, against a 23-year-old man. Six others, including hostel staff, teachers, and health workers, have been booked for alleged negligence and failure to protect the minor.
According to the FIR filed by District Child Protection Officer Mahantaswamy, the matter came to light when administrative officer of the Sakhi-1 Centre at Koppal District Hospital, Yamuna Bestar, informed him that the girl had given birth around 5.30 a.m. and had been admitted for medical care along with the newborn.
When the Child Protection Officer visited the hospital and recorded her statement, the minor reportedly revealed that the main accused, Hanumagouda (23), had been in a physical relationship with her on the promise of marriage. According to her statement, the accused had allegedly raped her multiple times since April this year, resulting in her pregnancy. The complainant alleged that the accused forcibly had sexual intercourse with the victim despite knowing she was a minor.
Based on these statements, the police have invoked Sections 64(2)(m) and 65(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Sections 4, 6, and 21(2) of the POCSO Act, and Sections 33 and 34 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Negligence charges
Apart from the prime accused, the police have also named hostel warden Shashikala, senior teacher Prabhakar, teacher Yankappa, and two doctors of the National Child Health Programme, Dr. Bharatesh Hiremath and Dr. Sabiya, for alleged negligence. The complainant stated that although these individuals were responsible for the care, monitoring, and welfare of the minor, they failed to notice her condition, conduct timely checks, or report any concerns to the department concerned.
Following the incident, Deputy Commissioner Suresh B. Itnal, Zilla Panchayat CEO Varnit Negi, and Superintendent of Police Ram Arasiddhi visited the district hospital and inquired into the circumstances leading to the delivery inside the hostel.
Mr. Arasiddhi later told The Hindu that the main accused, Hanumagouda, has been arrested. “The main accused is arrested. The investigation is on. The role and involvement of the other accused will be known after a thorough investigation. We will take action as per the legal procedure,” he said.
Published – November 26, 2025 07:08 pm IST
