A case of rape has come to light in Sindhupalchok after a minor girl gave birth at a hospital where she had been taken with complaints of abdominal pain.

According to the District Police Office, Sindhupalchok, the girl from Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality had been subjected to sexual abuse for the past nine months.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhavraj Kharel, the district police spokesperson, said the family took the girl to the hospital on Tuesday after she experienced severe abdominal pain. During delivery, hospital staff became suspicious about the girl’s age and informed police, prompting an investigation.

Police say a 50-year-old local man with the surname Shrestha had been repeatedly raping the girl, which led to her pregnancy. The suspect has since been arrested.

“The girl had neither informed her family about the sexual assault nor about her pregnancy, and the family also failed to notice it in time,” said DSP Kharel.

The District Court in Sindhupalchok has approved an extension of Shrestha’s custody for further investigation under rape charges.

Both the girl and the newborn are currently under medical care, and the hospital is continuing treatment, police said.

Given the seriousness of the case, police said further investigation is ongoing.