Thiruvananthapuram: Kollam police arrested a
couple for allegedly killing their
newborn, on Monday. Puthur police identified the accused as Ambili, 23, and husband Mahesh, 26, residents of Puthur,.
The incident came to light after the body of the one-day-old infant was found near the couple’s residence on Saturday. Stray dogs had dug into the small pit in which the baby was reportedly buried alive and had fished it out. The arms and legs of the baby was almost bitten off by the dogs.
According to Puthur police it was an Asha worker who helped them identify the culprits. “They already have a two-and-a-half-year-old baby and they did not want a second child. Though they had tried for termination of pregnancy, hospital authorities refused as Ambili was already four months pregnant,” said Deepu D, SHO, Puthur police station. .
Ambili gave birth around 4pm on last Tuesday at home. Her husband, a mason, was away at work. She took the baby outside, dug a small pit and put the baby in it. The ribs of the baby were broken and lungs had sustained serious damage. The police are awaiting postmortem report.
Ambili has, however, told police that it was a stillborn and therefore she buried it.
The couple had got married against the wish of their
parents and was not in good terms with their families.
Six years ago a similar case was reported at Puthur police station where a cashew factory worker had given birth and buried the baby alive .
The police said though Ambili was responsible for the death of the baby, Mahesh knew about it and did not disclose the matter even when he was questioned earlier by the police. They were produced in the court and remanded in judicial custody.