Kolkata Police have arrested a 19-year-old man after a 16-year-old girl gave birth to a baby girl, a senior officer confirmed on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The case, centred in the Entally neighbourhood of Kolkata, has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, along with relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

How the Case Came to Light

The minor delivered the baby at home on Monday, 21 September, before being taken to Chittaranjan Seva Sadan Hospital for medical care. Doctors there confirmed the girl's age after verifying her Aadhaar card, following which hospital staff alerted the police. A Zero FIR was initially registered at Bhowanipur police station and subsequently transferred to Entally police station, which is now leading the investigation. The newborn has been admitted to the hospital for treatment.

The Accused and Charges

The accused has been identified as Sameer Alam, also a resident of Entally. Investigators say Alam had been sexually assaulting the minor since 25 December 2025, leading to her pregnancy. Police are now probing whether Alam had entered into any form of marriage with the minor and whether other individuals may have been involved in the case. If convicted under POCSO, he faces imprisonment of up to 20 years.

State Government's Crackdown on Child Marriages

The arrest comes in the context of a wider state-level push against child marriage and underage pregnancies in West Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had reiterated that the government would take suo motu action — filing POCSO cases even without a complaint — against those responsible when teenage girls give birth before adulthood. Adhikari warned that those found guilty would face up to 20 years in prison and loss of government benefits.

Pattern Across the State

This is not an isolated incident. Police have recently made two arrests in East Burdwan district in similar cases involving minors who gave birth, and comparable incidents have also been reported from Murshidabad. However, according to police, such cases in Kolkata city itself remain relatively rare. The pattern points to a systemic problem of child marriage and sexual exploitation of minors in parts of the state, now being addressed through sustained police action following the government's directive.

What Happens Next

Entally police are continuing their investigation to determine if there are any co-accused. The minor and her newborn are receiving medical care. Legal proceedings under POCSO and the BNS are expected to move forward as the chargesheet is prepared.