E-Paper
Basti minor dies in alleged abortion procedure; lover dies by suicide on learning of death
Station house officer (SHO) Sanjay Kumar said the bodies of the girl and the youth had been sent for post-mortem examinations to ascertain the exact cause of death. Police had not received a written complaint from either family and had initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
A 14-year-old girl died of excessive bleeding following an alleged abortion procedure in Harraiya town of Basti district on Saturday night. The 19-year-old youth, with whom she was reportedly in a relationship, allegedly consumed poison after learning of her death and later died during treatment. Police have taken the midwife who allegedly performed the procedure into custody for questioning.
Station house officer (SHO) Sanjay Kumar said the bodies of the girl and the youth had been sent for post-mortem examinations to ascertain the exact cause of death. Police had not received a written complaint from either family and had initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
According to police, the youth lived as a tenant in Harraiya town, around 100 metres from the girl’s residence. The Class 8 student was reportedly in a relationship with him and was carrying a seven-month pregnancy.
Police said that after the families learnt about the pregnancy, they reportedly agreed to terminate it. On Saturday, members of both families allegedly took the girl to a midwife living in a rented house near the 100-bed women’s hospital in Harraiya.
The midwife allegedly agreed to perform the procedure for money. During the procedure, the girl suffered heavy bleeding and her condition deteriorated. She was taken to the Harraiya Community Health Centre (CHC) late on Saturday night, where doctors declared her dead.
After learning about the girl’s death, the youth allegedly consumed poison. His family took him to the CHC in Dubauliya, from where he was referred to the district hospital. He later died during treatment.
Circle officer (CO) Swarnima Singh said police raided the premises allegedly used for the procedure and took the midwife into custody for questioning. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death and the events leading to the youth’s death. Further action will be taken after the post-mortem reports are received.
