Hassan: SSLC student gives birth; School bus driver booked for sexual assault
Hassan: In a shocking incident reported from Channarayapatna in Hassan district, a 14-year-old SSLC student has given birth to a baby. The police have identified the driver of the private school bus she used for her commute as the accused.
The accused has been identified as Ranjith. It is alleged that he lured the minor girl, committed sexual assault, and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter to anyone.
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The incident came to light three days ago when the victim developed severe stomach pain while participating in a sports meet at her school. She was initially rushed to a private hospital, where doctors discovered she was pregnant. She was subsequently shifted to the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS), where she delivered a baby girl.
Officials stated that after a few days of medical care, both the minor mother and the infant will be handed over to the 'Santhwana Kendra' under the Department of Women and Child Development.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused, Ranjith, is married and has two children. He is currently absconding. The police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and have launched a manhunt to arrest him.
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Hormuz Strait disruptions have caused huge economic impact, energy instability in region: Navy chief
Mumbai (PTI): The Strait of Hormuz disruptions have caused severe economic impact and energy instability in the region, Indian Navy chief Admiral D K Tripathi said on Thursday amid the war in West Asia.
Speaking at an event where INS Sunayna, an offshore patrol vessel, set sail from Mumbai as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, the admiral said competition at sea has no longer remained confined to oil and energy.
It is now expanding towards resources that will shape future growth - such as rare earth elements, critical minerals, new fishing grounds and even data, he said.
The West Asia crisis began on February 28 after a joint attack by the US and Israel on Iran.
Iran's strikes on its neighbours along with its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted the world's energy supplies with effects far beyond West Asia.
"With the conflict in West Asia well into its fifth week, the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have caused severe economic impact and energy instability in the region," Tripathi said.
There is significant increase in the marine survey, deep-sea research activity, and Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU), often encroaching upon the sovereign rights of littoral nations and exploiting gaps in monitoring and enforcement, he said.
Alongside these, threats such as piracy, armed robbery and narco-trafficking backed by unimpeded access of advanced technology to non-state actors, have also become more complex and challenging to counter, the Navy chief pointed out.
Last year alone, the Indian Ocean Region witnessed a staggering 3,700 maritime incidents of varying nature, the admiral said.
Additionally, narcotics seizures in the region exceeded USD 1 billion USD in 2025, highlighting the persistence and spread of such challenges in the region, he said.
