Man arrested on rape charge after minor gives birth in Jharkhand hospital

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in Jharkhand's Giridih district on charges of raping a 14-year-old girl who delivered a baby at a government hospital.

A 24-year-old man was arrested in Jharkhand's Giridih district on charges of rape after a teenage girl delivered a baby at a government hospital, police said on Sunday.

The 14-year-old girl gave birth to the baby in the bathroom of the hospital on Friday evening, prompting hospital staff to alert the police, they said.

''Based on the statement of the victim's father, an FIR was registered, and a close relative of the girl was arrested from the Bengabad police station area on Saturday,'' SDPO (Giridih Sadar) Jitvahan Oraon told PTI.

He said the girl's statement was recorded by a woman police officer, and a case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and various sections, including 64 (rape), of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The girl went to the bathroom soon after arriving at the hospital, where she delivered the baby girl, an official said.

She allegedly tried to leave the premises afterwards, but staff members stopped her and informed the police, he said.

''The mother and newborn were later shifted to another medical centre by ambulance. Both are healthy and under medical supervision,'' he added.