HAMIRPUR: A case involving alleged child marriage and sexual exploitation of two girls surfaced in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur, leading to a police investigation after hospital staff alerted the authorities during a medical examination, officials said on Saturday.
The matter came to light when the girls underwent an examination at a local hospital, where the attending physician, observing their conditions, informed the police about suspected child marriage and sexual exploitation, they said.
One of the alleged victims hails from Bihar, while the other is a resident of the Hamirpur district, the officials said.
Hamirpur Additional Superintendent of Police Rajesh Upadhyay said the Nadaun police has registered a case.
An FIR under sections 64(2) and 65(2) of the BNS, Section 4 of the POCSO Act, and relevant provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act has been lodged.
The accused involved in the exploitation will be arrested soon as the investigation process has been expedited, the ASP said.
On Friday, the police produced both girls before the District Child Welfare Committee.
Chairperson of the committee, Manish Rana, said that the girls have undergone counselling and their statements would be recorded in the court.
For their safety and care, both have been transferred to One Stop Centre (OSC), officials said.
The OSC scheme, also known as Sakhi, is a government initiative aimed at providing a safe and integrated support system for women affected by violence.