Tribal girl has premature delivery; accused youth arrested

A 13-year-old tribal girl had a pre-mature delivery while en route to a primary health centre (PHC) in a remote Caribag village in Quepem, South Goa.

The minor?s mother, who was accompanying her to the doctor, immediately wrapped the five-month-old foetus in her dupatta (long stole), but the doctors declared the foetus brought dead.

Nitesh Velip, 23, was arrested by the Cuncolim police after a local NGO (non-governmental organization) Bailancho Ekvott filed a police case, since the parents were unwilling to pursue the case because of the alleged pressure from a top-notch local politician.

The accused, also from a tribal community, has been booked under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and section 8 (ii) of the Goa Children?s Act, 2003, and remanded to six-day police custody.

?The victim complained of stomach cramps to her mother, after which the mother decided to consult a doctor. On way to a nearby PHC, the foetus slipped out of the minor?s womb,? Bailancho Ekvott chief Auda Veigas said.

The unwed minor mother was relocated to Goa Medical College (GMC), Bambolim by Ambulance where she is undergoing treatment.

Just a week before the pre-mature delivery, the victim?s mother had questioned her about the noticeable bulging tummy, but the minor got away giving excuses.

According to the police, both victim and the accused were childhood friends and their families fixed their marriage once they attained maturity.

But the news came as a shock as none of the two families were unaware that the youth indulged in forceful sexual intercourse with the girl on several occasions since June 2010.