Mumbai: In a deeply disturbing case, Mumbai Police are searching for three men accused of raping an 18-year-old mentally challenged girl, who is now eight months pregnant. The incident reportedly occurred in December 2024, but came to light only recently when the victim’s pregnancy was discovered.
The girl, a resident of Mumbai’s eastern suburbs, had gone to a hospital for a skin ailment when the accused allegedly lured her to a slum and sexually assaulted her in a nearby house. She later returned home without revealing the crime due to her mental condition.
It was only after physical changes raised suspicions that the victim’s mother brought her to a hospital, where tests confirmed she was pregnant. The shocked family then filed a police complaint, prompting a swift investigation.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as the victim’s mental capacity classifies her under the Act’s protection.
Police have identified two of the three accused, while efforts are ongoing to trace the third suspect, who is believed to be an associate of the duo. The authorities are tracking leads based on the slum location and the suspects’ known connections.
The case has sparked outrage, highlighting the vulnerability of mentally challenged individuals and the urgent need for heightened protections.