Daijiworld Media Network – Bareilly
Bareilly, Sep 7: An 11-year-old girl, who had been repeatedly raped and blackmailed, delivered a premature baby that died within half an hour of birth, police said on Saturday.
The incident took place in Nawabganj, Bareilly district. Police have arrested the accused, identified as Rashid (31), a father of two, who is alleged to have lured the minor to his house six months ago with fruits before raping her. He reportedly recorded a video of the assault and used it to blackmail her into maintaining sexual relations, threatening to kill her family if she resisted.
The crime came to light on Thursday when the girl complained of severe abdominal pain. Her family took her to a government hospital, where an ultrasound revealed she was seven months pregnant. She was immediately shifted to the District Women’s Hospital, where she delivered a premature baby that died shortly after birth.
Hospital authorities said the girl’s condition was initially critical due to blood loss but has since stabilised. “Her condition is improving,” confirmed Dr Tribhuvan Prasad, CMS of the hospital.
Nawabganj Station House Officer Arun Kumar Srivastava said an FIR was registered against Rashid on Friday. “The accused has been arrested. DNA samples from the infant have been preserved for confirmation,” he stated.
The case has triggered widespread anger in the region, with demands for exemplary punishment for the accused.