Kendrapada: A 15-year-old dalit student gave birth to a baby girl just hours before her mathematics examination, marking the second such incident during the ongoing HSC examination. The incident took place in Jajpur district on Wednesday night. The mathematics paper was scheduled on Thursday.
The minor, who had already appeared for two HSC papers, was rushed to a community health centre (CHC) after complaining of severe abdominal pain. “It was a normal delivery. Both mother and child were later shifted to the district headquarters hospital in Jajpur,” said Anup Kumar Nathsharma, additional district medical officer (ADMO), Jajpur.
Police have detained a 25-year-old man in connection with the case. Investigation officer Ramakanta Nayak said, “The accused, who lives in the victim’s neighborhood, had been sexually abusing the minor since last year when her parents used to leave for work.” Police said she was a day scholar in a govt-run school and was not staying in the hostel.
A case has been registered under Section 376 2 N of the IPC for repeated rape and Section 8 of POCSO Act, 2012. This incident follows a similar case reported from Malkangiri district, where a Class X student delivered a child during the ongoing examinations.