In a heart-wrenching case from Kerala, a 40-year-old woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her newborn baby. The Ernakulam Additional District and Sessions Court (Women and Children), presided over by Judge K Soman, delivered the verdict on Wednesday, marking a tragic conclusion to an incident that shook the local community in 2021.
The woman, who was living separately from her husband at the time, committed the heinous act shortly after giving birth. According to the prosecution,
“After giving birth, she wrapped the baby in three shirts along with some stones and threw the infant into a quarry.”
This act of unfathomable cruelty led to the untimely and brutal death of the newborn.
Following the incident, the woman was discovered in a weakened state at her residence. Concerned police and neighbors rushed her to the hospital, unaware of the grim reality that had unfolded. The hospital’s report prompted the Puthencruz police station to register a case and initiate a thorough investigation into the matter.
Initially, the investigation was directed towards the possibility of child abandonment. However, as the inquiry progressed, a more sinister truth emerged. The prosecution stated,
“The investigating officer had suo motu registered the case and started a probe on the assumption that the woman had abandoned the child somewhere after giving birth but the investigation revealed that it was a murder.”
The meticulous investigation eventually led to the harrowing conclusion that the woman had carried the newborn to a nearby quarry and deliberately thrown the child to their death. This revelation brought the case to a tragic close, with the court imposing a life sentence on the woman for her inhumane actions. In addition to the life term, Judge K Soman also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the convicted woman.
This case highlights the disturbing issue of infanticide and the importance of providing support and resources to expectant mothers, especially those in distressing circumstances. The sentencing serves as a grim reminder of the severe consequences of such actions and the value of human life, no matter how young.
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