Maharashtra teen gives birth on bus, dumps baby outside
In a heartbreaking turn of events on Tuesday morning, a 19-year-old woman gave birth to a baby boy aboard a moving sleeper bus in Maharashtra’s Parbhani district and then allegedly threw the newborn out of the window.
The infant was later found dead by a passerby, wrapped in a cloth on the roadside. Authorities believe the baby died from injuries sustained during the fall.
Birth Without Help, Then a Tragic Decision
The young woman, identified as Ritika Dhere, was travelling with a man named Altaf Shaikh, who claimed to be her husband. They were on a sleeper coach from Pune to Parbhani when Ritika reportedly went into labor in the early hours of the journey.
With no medical help or support, she delivered the child onboard. What happened next has shocked the state: police say the couple wrapped the baby and threw him out of the window.
‘She Vomited,’ He Said – But the Truth Was Horrifying
The bus driver noticed something being tossed out and questioned the couple. Altaf allegedly told him that Ritika had vomited due to motion sickness.
However, a man walking nearby saw the bundle hit the ground. Out of curiosity and concern, he went to check, only to discover a newborn wrapped in cloth. Horrified, he called the police.
Quick Police Action
Police responded immediately. A patrol team chased down the bus, intercepted it, and detained the couple. Ritika was taken to a hospital for treatment following childbirth, while Altaf was brought in for questioning.
The couple told investigators they discarded the baby because they couldn’t afford to raise him. However, authorities are treating the case as a serious criminal offense.
Legal Case Registered
The Pathri police have filed charges under Section 94 (3) and (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with concealing birth and unlawful disposal of a dead body.
Though the pair claims to be husband and wife, they failed to provide any legal documents to prove it. Both are originally from Parbhani and have been living in Pune for the past year and a half.
Medical and Social Implications
This case raises urgent questions not just about legality, but about healthcare access, mental health, and societal support.
Delivering a child without medical help is dangerous under any circumstances. The physical risks to both mother and child are high. But what followed suggests something deeper, perhaps fear, desperation, or a complete lack of support.
Experts say such situations can trigger panic, trauma, or even postpartum mental health crises. But none of that justifies what happened here. A life was lost, and the pain of that is irreversible.
Conclusion
This tragedy reflects a larger failure not just of individuals, but of systems. Lack of access to safe reproductive care, mental health services, and education for young women continues to have devastating consequences.
As the legal process moves forward, it’s equally important for public health authorities to address the root causes. No woman should be in a position where giving birth alone, on a bus, feels like her only option and no baby should lose their life like this.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
