PUDUCHERRY: Police registered cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against a construction worker on charges of sexual harassment of a 17 year old girl a few months back. The police also registered a case under the Child Marriage Act against a fisherman, who married the same girl and impregnated her.
Sources said Construction worker Mohan used to frequent the house of the one woman, Poonkavanam, who is also a fellow worker. Mohan managed to become friendly with 17 year old daughter of Poonkavanam. A few months back, Mohan started sexually abusing the minor girl, a catering student of Ariyankuppam. The girl informed her mother about the abuse but she did not properly respond to girl’s pleas.
Unable to withstand the continued sexual abuses, the girl confided the matter with a fisherman Pushpalingam (25) of Veerampatinam.
The girl left the house and married Pushpalingam in October last year and lived at house in Veerampatinam.
A few days back, the girl complained about stomach pain and was admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Women and Children hospital. The doctors diagnosed that she was four months pregnant.
Since she was a minor girl, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) was informed. CWC chairperson Dr Vidyaa Ramkumar made inquiries and the statement of girl was recorded.
The CWC official then filed a complaint with Ariyankuppam police against Mohan, who abused the minor girl, Pushpalingam, who married the minor girl, and her mother Poonkavanam, for not taking heed to the complaints of her daughter on the sexual harassment.
Based on the complaint of CWC, Ariyankuppam police registered cases against Mohan under POCSO and Pushpalingam under Child Marriage Act. Both were arrested. However, the girl’s mother is absconding and search is on to trace her. Further investigations are on.