An 11-year-old schoolgirl was gangraped by her neighbours for over eight months at Babariya Quarter in Rajkot. The incident came to light on 8 March this year, when the 11-year-old complained of stomach ache after her stomach swelled. The girl’s mother, a domestic worker, took the child to a doctor, who insisted on conducting a sonography, revealing that the child was around 8 months pregnant.
On 17 March, eight months into her pregnancy the minor gave birth to a baby girl with spina bifida – a congenital disorder caused due to an underdeveloped spine and spinal cord. The baby weighs one-and-a-half kgs but is paralysed from the waist down and fighting for her life.
According to doctors of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, surgery cannot help the newborn child as her case is severe. The infant is now admitted at KT Children’s hospital in Rajkot, while the 11-year-old has been discharged.
Family Doesn’t Want the Newborn
The Quint spoke to the victim’s mother Geeta Vimal Damji who said, “We demand the most severe punishment; all the culprits who have committed this horrendous crime with my daughter should be hanged till death.”
Geetaben, who is the only bread-winner in the family, said, “We are a family of four. My husband was bitten by a dog a few years back and since then his mental condition has deteriorated. We cannot afford another mouth to feed because of our financial condition.”
The baby girl is very pretty. I was with her for half a day. But we learnt she has many complications. Even if the child were healthy, we simply cannot accept her.Geeta Vimal Damji, Victim’s Mother
Meanwhile, her daughter was discharged on Friday morning. But she has not seen the baby so far. “No, my daughter has so far not seen or even touched the baby. She is aware that she has given birth to a baby girl, but she herself requires lot of care now.” Geetaben added.
The victim’s father still doesn’t know that his daughter was raped and was forced to gave birth.
Counsellors Describe the Victim’s Trauma
Palak Jadeja from the District Child Protection Unit Social Defence Department counselled the victim before she delivered the child. Jadeja said, “She might have protested when she was assaulted the first time, but she later got habituated.”
Even when she got her first period, she did not tell anyone and she herself washed her menstrual clothes. Her mother too was not aware about her first period. The physical change in her body was not noticed even after 34 weeks of pregnancy.Palak Jadeja, District Child Protection Unit Social Defense Department
Pooja Shiyal, the counsellor at the Special Home for Girls, has been counselling the victim since 21 March. She said, “The victim is mentally disturbed. Her caesarean was scheduled on 19 March, but she delivered the baby on 17 March. She fears facing society. The rapists not only raped her but threatened her with dire consequences.”
“She has now realised she should have shared her ordeal with her mother. The worst part of it all is she never realised that she was being misused. She has only seen the newborn’s photo in her uncle’s mobile.” Pooja added.
Hospital Refuses to Comment on Infant’s Status
Meanwhile the KT Children’s hospital in Rajkot is tight-lipped about the newborn girl’s medical status. When The Quint’s local correspondent tried to gain access to the neo-natal ward where the infant is being treated, she was denied permission. When our correspondent called the medical superintendent of the hospital Dr Yogesh Parikh, he invited her to his cabin.
I only called to meet you, I cannot share any medical details about the case with you. And anyway, what is your interest in this case?Dr Yogesh Parikh, KT Children’s Hospital, Rajkot
The hospital claims it’s a legal case and details cannot be furnished to the press; however, most of the case details were shared with The Quint by doctors of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.
The case pertains to Rajkot, which happens to be Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s assembly constituency and so far there has not been a single reaction coming in from any political party on both fronts, considering the sensitivity of the matter.
According to sources, the police was approached by a member of the child protection services to shift the newborn to a super specialty hospital. However, the police denied permission.
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