Jajpur: Police have arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly marrying and impregnating a minor girl in a village under the district’s jurisdiction, an officer confirmed on Saturday.
The accused, whose identity has been withheld, was taken into custody following the revelation of the crime, which occurred last year but came to light only after the 16-year-old victim delivered a baby girl at the Dharmashala community health centre (CHC) on Monday.
According to the police, the man had entered into marriage with the minor last year and had been residing at her house in Baligari village.
Hospital authorities became suspicious of the girl’s age during her stay at the CHC and subsequently alerted the district child protection office. Following the intimation, police registered a formal complaint under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
“We have arrested the accused. Legal action will also be taken against the parents of the accused and the minor,” a police officer said, adding that a thorough investigation into the matter is underway.
