Minor girl dies after rape by boyfriend

By Barnabas Karunagari | August 12, 2026

Gandhinagar, Gujarat, INDIA: A 17-year-old college student from the Kalol area died after suffering severe bleeding and multi-organ failure following an alleged sexual assault at a guesthouse in Gandhinagar, police said. Her 22-year-old boyfriend has been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The accused has been identified as Dishant Sharma, also known as Deep Sharma, a resident of Pethapur. Police allege that he took the minor to Capital Guest House in Sector 16, Gandhinagar, on August 6, where the alleged sexual assault occurred.

According to investigators, the girl had left her home for college that day and later met Sharma. Police are examining their communications, with preliminary chat evidence indicating that the two had planned to meet.

Following the alleged incident at the guesthouse, the girl suffered severe bleeding and pain and her condition deteriorated rapidly.

Taken to multiple hospitals

Police said Sharma initially took the girl in critical condition to a private hospital in Randheja. She was subsequently taken to another medical facility in Sargasan but was reportedly not admitted there. She was later shifted to another private hospital for further treatment.

Despite medical intervention, the minor remained unconscious for about three days.

According to the preliminary investigation, the prolonged and excessive bleeding allegedly led to serious infections affecting her intestines and kidneys. Her condition continued to worsen and she eventually suffered multi-organ failure.

She died late on August 8.

Police said medical examinations did not reveal external bruises or apparent signs of a physical struggle. Investigators are therefore awaiting the complete medical and forensic findings to establish the precise nature and circumstances of the alleged assault and the injuries that ultimately led to her death.

Boyfriend arrested under POCSO Act

Pethapur police arrested Sharma after he appeared at the police station. As the victim was 17 years old, police registered offences against him under the POCSO Act.

Gandhinagar Assistant Superintendent of Police Ayush Jain said the preliminary investigation established that the alleged offence occurred at a guesthouse in Sector 16 and that the minor had suffered injuries affecting multiple organs.

A panel of doctors conducted the post-mortem examination in the presence of forensic experts. Police said further legal action would be based on the post-mortem findings and the report from the Forensic Science Laboratory.

Gandhinagar SP Ravi Teja Vasamsetty said investigators were also examining electronic evidence, including chats between the accused and the minor, as part of efforts to reconstruct the events leading up to the incident.

Guesthouse management under scrutiny

The investigation has now widened beyond the allegations against Sharma.

Police are examining whether the management of the Sector 16 guesthouse violated regulations by allowing a 22-year-old man to stay there with a minor. Investigators are expected to examine the guesthouse register, identification documents, CCTV footage and other records to determine how the room was provided.

Authorities are also looking into the response of the medical facilities where the girl was initially taken.

Investigators are examining why police were allegedly not informed when the critically injured minor was brought for medical attention and whether mandatory reporting requirements were followed.

The victim's family has also raised allegations concerning the handling of the case, including claims of an attempt to suppress the matter. Police are examining those allegations as part of the investigation.

The exact cause and circumstances of the girl's fatal medical complications are expected to become clearer after the final post-mortem and FSL reports are received.