12-Year-Old In Kerala Becomes Father, Accused Of Raping Cousin

Thiruvananthapuram: A 12-year-old boy has fathered a child with a 16-year-old girl in Kochi, about 200 km from Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram. Paternity tests conducted on the eighth standard student, who could be India's youngest dad, confirmed that he is the father of the two-month-old baby girl, police said today.

The young mother is the boy's first cousin and were neighbours. The newborn was handed over to the Child Welfare Committee since the girl's family had refused to take care of the child.

The girl had alleged that she had been raped by the boy following which a case has been registered against him, they said.

However, when questioned, the boy blamed the girl for the relationship and hence a case has been registered against the young mother, under section 7 (Sexual Assault) and 8 (not less than 3 years which may extend to 5 years and fine) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, police said.

"We produced the statements in court and registered a case," Kalamassery Circle Inspector, S Jayakrishnan, who is the investigating officer, told PTI.

The boy, who was studying in a local school in Kochi, has been shifted to another place.

According to State Crime Records Bureau, 1,570 crimes were registered against children in Kerala, including 520 rape cases till July last year.

Besides, 1,156 cases were registered last year under POCSO Act with Malappuram recording the highest number of cases 138 followed by 111 in Thiruvananthapuram Rural, 96 in Ernakulam Rural and 86 in Kannur.

(With Inputs from PTI)