Coronavirus India: A 40-year-old man raped and impregnated his minor daughter over three months, amid COVID-19 lockdown

In a shocking case in India, a man was arrested yesterday, for allegedly raping and impregnating his minor daughter during the lockdown in the state of Tamil Nadu. Indian social media users were horrified, as they shared the news report of yet another case of sexual abuse faced by women and girls in India.

Like many others, Facebook user, Neha Batham posted: “Girls are not safe in their own house.”

Reportedly, the incident that took place in Nagapattinam town, came to light when the 14-year-old survivor told her mother that she was unwell. She said she had a stomach ache and was vomiting.

Her mother took her to the local government hospital, upon examination the doctor informed the mother that the teen was pregnant.

After the medical examination, the minor confided in her mother and said that she was repeatedly raped by her 40-year-old father, a driver by profession, in the past three months.

The survivor's mother then filed a police complaint at the Mayiladuthurai All Women’s Police Station. Apparently, the couple have two minor daughters.

Facebook user Palak Sharma commented: “Even Home is not Safe. These kind of people destroy the pure relationship of a father and daughter.”

Swarup Mohapatra took to Facebook to say that a reformation in people’s attitude was the only solution to reduce such crimes. He wrote: “Very shocking, man turned to beasts. Law and punishment is not the only solution. Reforming the degraded society is the need of the hour.”

Based on the complaint, the accused was arrested. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

While India’s lockdown has been extended further, amid rising COVID-19 cases, crimes against women and children have not gone down.