Kandhamal, Mar 9: A Class IX student residing in a government-run girls’ hostel in Kandhamal district has given birth to a baby boy, sparking concern over the monitoring and safety of students in state-run hostels.

The minor, who was studying at a government girls’ high school under the Phiringia police limits, delivered the baby on March 1 at her family home. Reports indicate that she had returned home during school holidays last year, where she allegedly developed a physical relationship with a youth. Unaware or without disclosing her pregnancy, she returned to the hostel to continue her studies.

The situation came to light only last month when school authorities noticed the student was around eight months pregnant. The headmaster immediately contacted her family and handed the girl over to them. Following this, the family lodged a complaint at Gochhapada police station, while the school headmaster filed a separate case at Phiringia police station.

Both the mother and the newborn are reportedly in poor health, but the family has avoided hospital treatment due to fear of social stigma.

Gochhapada police station IIC Sanjeeb Behera confirmed that all legal procedures have been initiated, but the accused youth has not yet been arrested.

The incident has raised serious questions about how a student’s pregnancy went unnoticed for nearly eight months while living in a government-run hostel and attending school, highlighting potential gaps in supervision and student welfare.