The family members of a 16-year-old rape victim in Udaipur have decided to keep her baby after they found out that it was a boy. They had earlier expressed reservations in this regard.
The Udaipur girl was allegedly raped multiple times by two relatives last year. They warned her against reporting the incident, and it was only after the girl was found to be six months pregnant that the family lodged a case against the duo in November.
The accused have been remanded in judicial custody.
“When we came to know about the incident, we met the girl’s family members and told them that the baby could be put up for adoption if they didn’t want it. We counseled them regularly, requesting them to not abandon the child,” said Harish Paliwal, a member of Udaipur’s child welfare committee.
According to Paliwal, the girl’s family had earlier expressed reluctance over keeping the child. “But when the rape victim gave birth to a boy, their attitude changed,” he said.
The girl was discharged from the district hospital on Thursday, after she delivered the child. “We’ll keep an eye on the child to ensure that the family does not abandon it. We’ve assured them of the best possible healthcare,” Paliwal said, adding that both the girl and her baby are doing well.
{{/usCountry}}The girl was discharged from the district hospital on Thursday, after she delivered the child. “We’ll keep an eye on the child to ensure that the family does not abandon it. We’ve assured them of the best possible healthcare,” Paliwal said, adding that both the girl and her baby are doing well.
{{/usCountry}}Paliwal said the girl had earlier sought permission for abortion, but the court turned down her plea because she was already eight months into the pregnancy.
A month ago, another minor rape victim and her family were found asking passers-by outside the Jaipur railway station to take away her girl child.