Surat Tutor Elopes with Minor, Now Pregnant

 A disturbing case involving the elopement of a 23-year-old private tutor and her 13-year-old male student has sparked widespread concern over child safety and the safeguarding of minors in informal education settings.

Police officials confirmed that the teacher, who had been giving private lessons to the boy—currently a Year 5 student—had absconded with him earlier this year. The pair travelled across multiple cities, including Delhi, Vrindavan, Jaipur, and Vadodara, before being located near the Shamlaji border and returned to Surat.

A medical examination has revealed that the woman is five months pregnant. She has claimed the minor is the father of the child, a statement that has led the authorities to order DNA testing. Police say both individuals admitted during questioning to having engaged in a physical relationship over a period of several months.

The alleged acts occurred both at the teacher's residence and, later, in a Vadodara hotel during their time on the run. The student reportedly gave the teacher a few of his clothes before they left Surat, and she is said to have purchased additional items for their travel.

In a statement, the police noted that the adolescent had been receiving one-on-one tuition from the woman, and that the relationship escalated over time. A formal case has been filed against the teacher under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for kidnapping a minor. Additional charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, including sexual exploitation of a child, have also been registered.

Authorities are treating the case with utmost seriousness, and social welfare officers have been engaged to provide counselling and protection for the minor. The incident has ignited a larger debate on the need for regulation and monitoring of private tuition arrangements, which often operate with little oversight.

Senior officials have stated that the matter reflects a significant breach of trust and authority, and underlines the necessity for better checks in educational environments—formal or informal. Legal experts have also highlighted the lack of awareness around grooming and exploitation by adults in positions of influence.

The case remains under active investigation, and further legal proceedings will follow pending the results of the DNA test.