Karnataka Class 9 Student Delivers Baby In School Toilet, 28-Year-Old Arrested

In a shocking incident from Karnataka's Shahapur taluk, a 17-year-old Class 9 student of a government-run residential school delivered a baby inside the institution's toilet earlier this week. The case has sparked outrage and triggered a police probe into negligence by school authorities.

According to a Report by Hindustan Times the minor, aged 17 years and seven months, reportedly went into labour during school hours. Her classmates, noticing her in distress, immediately alerted the administration. She was rushed along with her newborn to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed both were in stable condition.

According to the FIR, the girl had been sexually assaulted about nine months ago while staying in the hostel. Initially hesitant to reveal details due to stress, she later stated she experienced severe abdominal pain in the washroom and unexpectedly gave birth.

Following the investigation, police arrested a 28-year-old man, identified as the accused. A senior official confirmed that the girl will undergo counselling once medically fit, to establish whether she knew the accused and to gather more details of the case.

The complaint, filed by the District Child Protection Officer, led to charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In addition, cases were registered against four others - the hostel warden, school principal, staff nurse, and the victim's brother - for failing to inform authorities about the pregnancy.

Police noted that despite clear signs, neither the school administration nor the girl's brother reported the matter immediately after the delivery. Investigators further revealed that the student had been irregular in her attendance since the start of the academic year.

Hostel warden Geeta Salimani and principal Basamma Patil denied knowledge of the pregnancy. "There were no visible signs," Patil said, adding that the girl's marital status was also not known to the staff.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS) suspended four school employees, including the principal and warden, for negligence and dereliction of duty in monitoring the health and wellbeing of students.