Delay in FIR, medical aid alleged in pregnant minor’s POCSO case

The alleged delay in registering a case and providing medical care to a pregnant minor girl could have serious health implications for the victim under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, child rights organisations have alleged.According to the organisations, the girl’s family lodged a complaint at the Nuzvid Rural police station on June 26, 2026, alleging child marriage and offences under the POCSO Act.The Nuzvid Rural police registered a Zero FIR and referred the girl to an Open Shelter for Girls at Nuzvid in Eluru district the following day.The management of the Open Shelter produced the girl before the Krishna district Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on June 29. The committee shifted the 14-year-old, who was four months pregnant, to a Child Care Institution (CCI) in NTR district on the same day.“We alerted the Vissannapet police on June 29 after a 14-year-old pregnant girl in a POCSO case was referred to the CCI. We directed them to register a fresh FIR and follow the prescribed legal and medical procedures,” said CWC member Chandragiri Radha Kumari.The Vissannapet police, under the NTR Commissionerate, re-registered the case on July 7. The girl was admitted to hospital on July 24.“We attempted to provide medical assistance to the girl on June 29, but the doctors insisted on an FIR as it was a POCSO case. We conveyed the same to the NTR police, who registered the case only on July 7,” said Krishna district CWC Chairperson K. Suvartha.Doctors said the foetal growth, haemoglobin level, blood pressure and other vital parameters needed to be monitored regularly to minimise health risks, as the girl was a minor.“Timely counselling should be provided to the victim on legal and medical aspects, the risks involved and the healthcare required,” said advocate and child rights activist Radha Chandrika.When contacted, Mylavaram Assistant Commissioner of Police P. Ramachandra Rao, who is investigating the case, said the reasons for the delay, if any, in registering the case and providing medical care would be examined.“We have arrested the prime accused, and efforts are under way to apprehend the remaining accused,” the ACP said. Published - July 26, 2026 07:01 pm IST