India: 12-year-old girl pregnant after gang rape by three minor cousins
The cousins had threatened her against disclosing the matter to her parents
A 12-year-old girl in the Indian state of Gujarat was allegedly raped by her three minor cousins over five months. The shocking incident came to light last week after the girl was admitted to a hospital in Navsari district, where it was revealed that she was four months pregnant.
According to Indian news media reports, a few months ago, one of her cousins who was visiting her house found the girl alone and raped her. Later, he told his two other cousins who also allegedly raped her. They threatened the girl and told her not to disclose the matter to her mother.
Last week, after the girl complained of a stomach ache, her mother took her to a nearby hospital. When the doctor examined her, they found her to be four months pregnant.
The doctors informed the mother, and they shifted the girl to another hospital for further treatment on Wednesday night.
On Thursday afternoon, police reached the hospital and took statements of the girl and her parents.
A police official told Indian news media outlets that all the accused are below 18 years of age. “We have registered an offence of rape against the three boys. They are absconding...” he said.
The police have booked the juveniles under India's POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act.