PUNE: A 17-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually exploited multiple times since 2021 by a distant relative has tested HIV-positive during a medical examination at the Sassoon General Hospital.The Samarth police have registered a case of rape and sexual assault, while invoking provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the missing relative from Karnataka.Senior inspector Uttam Gitte of the Samarth police told TOI: “We are looking for the man. He will be medically examined once arrested. At present, we cannot comment on how the survivor contracted HIV.”Police said the teenager used to stay in the Khadki area with her mother, who does odd jobs. The suspect got in touch with the girl on phone in 2021. She was just 14 years old then. They would communicate daily, till the suspect gained her trust. He pretended to be in love with the teen and took her to his hometown in Karnataka. He allegedly subjected her to repeated sexual abuse.A few months ago, the girl was reported missing and a case of kidnapping was registered at the Khadki police station. She was sent to a girls’ observation home after she was traced. Her health deteriorated during her stay. Medical tests revealed details of the sexual abuse and she was taken to the Sassoon hospital for treatment.Gitte said, “The girl told us that the abuse began in 2021. The matter came to light only after she fell ill. She was admitted to the Sassoon hospital. Her blood tests confirmed she was HIV-positive. It was then that the girl told her mother about the repeated sexual assaults.”(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)