Shocking Aligarh Case: Aunt Pregnant by 17-Year-Old Nephew; Refuses to Leave Him, Arrested

Aligarh: A 40-year-old woman has been accused of harassing her 17-year-old minor nephew for two and a half years. In the village panchayat, the woman declared herself two and a half months pregnant and said that she wanted to live with her nephew and would leave her husband. On the complaint of the teenager's mother, the police arrested the woman under the POCSO Act and sent her to jail. Medical and investigation is ongoing.

Did aunt exploit minor nephew?  

According to the victim, his aunt was threatening him and forcing him to have physical relations for the last two and a half years. The boy told the police that the woman used to threaten him that if he protested, she would implicate him in a false rape case and send him to jail. The minor remained silent due to fear of public shame, defamation and jail. He did not tell anything to the family. When the woman started pressurizing him for marriage, he got scared and told the whole thing to his mother.

What did the woman confess in the Panchayat?

When the matter came to light in the village, Panchayat was called. In the Panchayat, the woman said in front of everyone that she was going to be the mother of her nephew's child. She insisted on leaving her husband and settling down with a minor. The husband tried to explain, but the woman did not agree. She openly said that she would stay with him. Hearing this the villagers and family were stunned.  

What action did the police take?

Police registered a case on the complaint of the teenager's mother. A case was registered against the woman under relevant sections of POCSO Act and IPC. The police have taken the accused into custody and sent her to jail. Medical examination of the victim teenager has been done so that evidence can be collected. The police officer says that the charge sheet will be prepared on the basis of statement, medical report and other evidence. Investigation is ongoing.

Why did the minor remain silent due to threats and pressure?

Fear and blackmail become the biggest weapons in sexual exploitation of minors. In this case also the woman threatened "false case" and "jail". Due to the respect of the village society, fear of breaking his relations and ignorance of the law, the teenager remained silent for years.

What can society and law learn from such a case?

This incident shows that it is not only girls who are victims of sexual exploitation. Crimes committed against minor boys are equally serious, but are less reported due to fear of shame and stigma. Experts say that it is important to teach children “good touch-bad touch” and “the right to say no” from childhood. POCSO Act does not discriminate on gender, even a minor boy will be considered a victim. Aligarh Police says that strong lobbying will be done to give strict punishment to the culprit. The family now just wants justice.