Malappuram, August 25: In a horrific case of child sexual abuse, a 12-year-old girl in Kerala's northern district of Malappuram was found to be raped and impregnated. As per the allegation, she was sexually assaulted by a teacher of the school where she is studying. The accused went missing after the matter was brought to light earlier this week.

The case was reported to the police after the victim's parents found through a medical check-up that she had been sexually assaulted over the last two months. As the girl was in trauma, she was initially reluctant to narrate her plight. During the counselling session, she confined about being "raped" by her school teacher. Paresh Rawal's Driver Arrested by Mumbai Police On Charges Of Rape And Making MMS Video Viral

Police officials privy to the case said it has occurred in Thenhipalam region of Malappuram. The accused, who is said to be in his early 30s', has been booked under provisions of the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Update by ANI:

As per the recent amendments moved to the POCSO Act, rape or gangrape committed against a minor will attract a minimum punishment of 20-year imprisonment, and maximum penalty of death.

According to the data released by Kerala police, the state has recorded 1,041 cases of rape in the year 2019 till the month of June. The crime rate is similar to last year, when a total of 2,015 cases of sexual assault were recorded.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2019 07:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).