Minor rape victim dies days after birth of stillborn

A minor rape victim, who had delivered a stillborn baby, died for want of treatment in Uttar Pradesh’s Allahabad district, about 200 km from here.

According to reports, the 15-year old rape victim had delivered a stillborn baby at a private hospital in the district on Sunday. The minor was “very weak” and also suffered from anaemia.

According to the doctors, her condition had deteriorated after the delivery but her family chose to get her discharged and took her home stating that they did not have the money to bear the expenses.

Sources said that the minor died in the wee hours of Tuesday.

The district administration has now sought a report from the local officials on why the victim was provided medical care at a government facility.

“Stern action will be taken if it is found that there was laxity on the part of the officials at local level'', said an official in Allahabad.

The minor had been raped by a relative of hers in March this year while she had gone out to answer nature’s call.

The family members of the victim had said that the police had initially refused to register a case and had even pressurised them not to insist on lodging a complaint in this regard.

A report was lodged almost six months after the incident when it turned out  the minor was pregnant.