Arrest Made in Rape Case of 14-Year-Old Leading to Stillbirth

A 57-year-old man, Sagar Verma, was arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Bahraich district who later gave birth to a stillborn. The incident came to light when the girl's sister filed a complaint. A case has been registered under the POCSO Act.

Police on Wednesday arrested a 57-year-old man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl who recently gave birth to a stillborn, according to officials.

Sagar Verma, also known as Ram Sagar, was apprehended at the Mihirpurwa bus stop, Additional SP (Rural) Pavitra Mohan Tripathi confirmed.

The alleged rape occurred in a village in Bahraich district, and the girl's parents became aware of the situation seven months into the pregnancy, Murtiha Station House Officer Amitendra Singh told PTI. The minor gave birth to the stillborn on Friday.

The girl's sister lodged a formal complaint on Saturday after discovering the incident during a visit to her parents' home. A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The stillborn's body was exhumed on Sunday following district magistrate orders, as the family had initially buried it to avoid public shame, police reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)