Chitradurga doctor accused in minor abortion case still on the run

Chitradurga: Following serious allegations of sexual assault and illegal abortion involving a minor girl in Chitradurga district, police are continuing efforts to search a doctor who has remained absconding even a week after the case was registered.

According to police sources, the doctor—named as the second accused in the case—has been evading arrest since the incident surfaced. “We are searching for her, but she is on the run. We are going to take her into custody shortly,” a police source said.

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The case came to light after a Class 10 student filed a complaint on April 10, accusing her mathematics teacher of repeatedly sexually assaulting her and later forcing her to undergo an abortion at a private hospital.

In her complaint, the victim alleged that the teacher took her to various places, including Talaku and other locations within Challakere, where he sexually assaulted her multiple times. She further stated that he threatened her with consequences if she revealed the abuse.

Police later arrested the teacher and produced him before the court, which sent him to judicial custody in a case registered under the POCSO Act. Ever since the teacher’s arrest, the doctor has been absconding. District Health Officer Dr Renu Prasad visited the private hospital accused of illegally aborting the 16-year-old girl’s pregnancy and has also sealed the hospital, reports TNIE.

Officials from the District Child Protection Unit, led by officer N Rekha, also visited the victim’s village and met her family to assess the situation and ensure necessary support. Based on the findings, a formal complaint was registered at the Talaku police station against both the teacher and the doctor.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that, taking a significant step to ensure the safety of minors, the Karnataka Government has issued new directives mandating all hospitals in the state to report cases of pregnancy involving girls under 18 years of age, enabling the initiation of criminal action under the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Also Read:Hospitals to face legal action for failing to report minor pregnancies: Karnataka Govt