Andhra Teen Faces Trauma after Two-Year Assault; Reports Pregnancy

INIndia|

A 15-year-old girl in Andhra Pradesh, India, has been hospitalized after being found eight months pregnant, the result of repeated rapes allegedly perpetrated by 14 men over a two-year period. According to District Superintendent of Police V Ratna, the girl, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, was first assaulted while she was in Class 8. Despite continuing her education until two months ago, she suffered threats and blackmail from her attackers.

Authorities have arrested 17 individuals, including one minor, in connection with the case. The police plan to investigate why the girl’s pregnancy was not detected sooner, as stated by Ms. Ratna. The community is outraged, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding the safety and protection of vulnerable minors in the region.

This alarming incident has sparked calls for increased vigilance and better protective measures for young girls, particularly in light of the recent spate of sexual violence cases in India.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from India

India Accused of Illegally Deporting Muslims to Bangladesh Amid Rising Tensions

Human rights organizations are accusing the Indian government of illegally deporting Muslim citizens to Bangladesh, amidst a crackdown on alleged illegal immigrants. Reports indicate that thousands have been rounded up, primarily in Assam, with many families claiming they were deprived of due legal process. According to Odhikar, a Bangladeshi human rights organization, deportees have faced threats at gunpoint from India’s Border Security Force (BSF) during forced expulsions. Among those deported was 62-year-old Hazera Khatun, who was apprehended on May 25. Khatun and others were reportedly coerced across the border, despite having documentation proving their Indian citizenship. “They treated us like animals,” she recounted, detailing their journey back home through treacherous terrains. Bangladesh's foreign ministry has urged India to halt these expulsions, asserting that individuals must not be sent without proper vetting. However, those calls have reportedly gone unanswered. Activists fear the recent deportation wave aligns with a broader campaign targeting Muslims under India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, following heightened national security measures after a violent attack in Kashmir in April.
INIndia

Global Carbon Budget Set to Exhaust in Just Over Three Years, Warn Scientists

An international group of scientists warns that the world's carbon budget for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius will be depleted in just over three years if current emission rates persist. According to the latest study in the journal Earth System Science Data, human activities have emitted approximately 53 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually over the past decade, primarily due to fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. The carbon budget indicates the total amount of carbon dioxide the planet can emit while maintaining a reasonable chance of staying below a specified temperature threshold. Notably, the year 2024 recorded temperatures 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels, marking it as the hottest year on record. The study emphasizes that the world is on track to exceed the 1.5-degree limit unless significant emissions reductions are achieved. Furthermore, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has previously emphasized a need for a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. However, IPCC Chair Jim Skea noted that this target is becoming increasingly outdated due to insufficient action.
INIndia

Tragic Plane Crash in India Claims Over 240 Lives

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, leading to a devastating loss of life. With 242 individuals on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, the aircraft was en route to London when it issued a distress signal shortly after takeoff at around 1:39 PM local time. Reports confirmed that 241 of those aboard perished, though one Indian-British passenger, Ramesh Viswashkumar, survived and is receiving medical treatment. According to local authorities, the plane crashed into a residential area, killing several individuals, including students at a nearby hostel. Eyewitnesses described a massive explosion followed by thick black smoke. G. S. Malik, a local police official, stated that crews have recovered 204 bodies so far. Both Indian and British authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which remains unclear, despite favorable weather conditions. The Indian Aviation Minister has arrived in Ahmedabad to coordinate rescue efforts. Air India expressed condolences to the families affected and confirmed that passengers included 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.
INIndia