Youth held in Pocso case in Belgavi

BELAGAVI: Khanapur police on Friday arrested a 19-year-old youth under the Pocso Act for allegedly sexually exploiting and impregnating a a minor.

The 16-year-old girl gave birth to a boy a week ago.

The infant, abandoned after birth, was found in a plastic bag hanging from a tree. An Asha worker found the baby crying on the outskirts of the Gouliwad village on August 25 and admitted him to the Khanapur Government Hospital. As the boy’s health was critical, he was moved to the district government hospital where he is still admitted.

Police identified the accused as Mallu Appu Ingale (19) of Khanapur taluk. During interrogation, he confessed he had sexual relations with a minor girl and had made her pregnant.