A 46-year-old school teacher, K Somaraju, has been apprehended in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, for allegedly marrying his 15-year-old student. The Hindi teacher at Yandagani Zilla Parishad High School near Bhimavaram was taken into custody for enticing the girl under the pretext of love and formalizing the 'marriage' by tying a sacred thread around her neck. The illicit relationship reportedly spanned four months, during which Somaraju provided his smartphone to the minor. On November 19, he allegedly brought her to his residence, where the 'marriage' took place. After spending a few days together, the girl managed to escape and informed her family about the situation.
Following the complaint filed by the victim and her father, the police arrested Somaraju. The accused, who has been deserted by his wife seven years ago, faces charges under IPC Sections 376, 342, and 506, as well as Sections 5 & 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 9 of the Child Marriage Act. The District Disha (women's protection wing) DSP N Murali Krishna stated that Somaraju would be presented before a judge.