15-yr-old delivers baby, Hubby booked

The minor marriage came to light after the girl delivered a baby at Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) onMonday.

Acting on information from doctors, a team of the Ramanathapuram police registered a case against the accused Mahendran and subsequently arrested him.

According to the police team, the girl eloped with the man, who was a construction worker, from Erode and married him. Later the couple settled down in in a rented accommodation in Ramanathapuram in Coimbatore city.

During the course of their stay in Coimbatore, the girl became pregnant and she recently got admitted to a hospital for delivery. When the hospital staff sought the particulars of the girl, she had mentioned her age as 19.

Not convinced with the girl’s claim on age, the doctors on suspicion verified her documents and found out that she was 15 years. When the baby was born, both their families broke into a celebration mood and also distributing sweets to relatives and neighbours. Acting on a tip-off over the age confusion, Ramanathapuram police registered a case under Pocso Act and arrested Mahendran.

In another incident, the Coimbatore police arrested Sonu (23), Nazir (27) and Samseth (28), all hailing from Uttar Pradesh and working as construction workers by staying in Sundarapuram over the last five years.

They noticed a 12-year-old girl alone inside the house and forced their way inside to sexually assault her. On hearing her loud screams, the neighbours rushed into the house and caught the three men red handed.

The public thrashed the trio and handed them over to Podanur police. Upon arrest, they were produced before court and lodged in Coimbatore Central Prison.