Did an Affair Lead to This Shocking Newborn Murder?

In a disturbing case from Kaithal district, Haryana, a 29-year-old woman has been accused of killing her newborn shortly after a concealed home delivery. The woman, whose husband has been residing in Portugal for the past three years, is now in judicial custody and faces charges of murder and destruction of evidence.

Incident Details

According to the preliminary police investigation, the woman gave birth at home during the night with the help of two other women. The delivery was not reported to any healthcare facility. Shortly after birth, the newborn male infant was found dead his mouth stuffed with ash and a scarf tied tightly around his neck, indicating manual strangulation. The body was discovered the following day inside a school bag placed in the family’s cattle shed.

Suspected Motive: Social Stigma and Fear

Investigators suspect the pregnancy may have been the result of an extramarital relationship. The woman reportedly concealed her pregnancy from her in-laws and neighbours. Her mother-in-law, who filed the police complaint, had questioned the woman about her visibly swollen abdomen several times. However, the accused claimed it was due to “water retention.”
It is suspected that the fear of social disgrace, combined with a lack of support and mental stress, may have played a role in her decision to conceal the pregnancy and subsequently kill the infant.

Medical and Legal Action

Police took the woman for medical evaluation at a local Community Health Centre (CHC). DNA samples have been collected from the infant to confirm maternity and potentially identify the biological father. The woman has been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for murder (Section 302) and destruction of evidence (Section 201).
Due to her medical condition post-delivery, she has been placed in judicial custody instead of immediate police remand. She will be transferred for custodial interrogation once she is medically stable.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

While the affair remains a private matter according to the police, the case raises critical ethical and medical concerns:

Unattended home delivery without skilled care
Lack of antenatal care or psychological counselling
Postpartum mental health concerns, including possible postpartum psychosis or severe stress reaction

The police have also registered an FIR against the two women who allegedly assisted in the delivery and may have been complicit in the concealment of the birth and death.

Community Reaction and Family Testimony

The woman’s mother-in-law, who lives with her and the children, reported changes in her daughter-in-law’s behaviour after her son migrated abroad. She described the woman as becoming rebellious and disrespectful. Following a tip-off on June 11 that an abortion may have occurred, the family alerted authorities. The next day, the body of the infant was discovered by the woman’s daughter in the cattle shed.

Conclusion

This incident sheds light on the urgent need for counselling, mental health support for women in rural settings, and awareness about the dangers of concealed pregnancies. It also reflects the ongoing stigma surrounding illegitimacy and extramarital relationships, which often leads to unsafe practices and psychological trauma.

Healthcare professionals, especially in rural areas, must be trained to recognize signs of concealed pregnancies, offer confidential support, and promote safe maternal health practices. Community-level awareness and access to maternal mental health services remain critical.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

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.