Nearly 17 months after a five-month-old baby died under suspicious circumstances in Bilaspur, police on Monday arrested a 23-year-old man who allegedly poisoned the infant because he did not want the child born from his live-in relationship.
Vikramjeet, a resident of Barri village in Hisar district, was arrested by a team from Bilaspur police station.
Police said the case began on January 5, 2025, when Jamalpur police post received information that an infant had been brought to a hospital for treatment but was declared dead on arrival. During inquest proceedings at the mortuary, the child’s mother lodged a complaint that raised suspicion over the death.
In her statement, the woman told police that she had been living with Vikramjeet since 2023 and that a baby boy was born from the relationship. She alleged that tensions between them escalated after the child’s birth. According to the complaint, Vikramjeet had been unhappy about the baby and had repeatedly pressured her to terminate the pregnancy.
She told police that on January 4 last year, Vikramjeet took the five-month-old child with him and returned after some time, claiming the baby was unwell. The infant was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The mother then accused Vikramjeet of administering a poisonous substance, causing the child’s death.
During interrogation, Vikramjeet admitted that he had entered into the live-in relationship despite already being married. Police said he confessed to giving a poisonous substance to the infant on January 4, leading to the child’s death. A murder case was registered against him at Bilaspur police station.
Background of the Case
The incident highlights the growing concern over domestic disputes and violence arising from live-in relationships. According to police records, Vikramjeet was already married when he began the relationship with the victim’s mother. The couple had been living together in Bilaspur, a suburb of Gurgaon, since 2023.
Neighbors reported that arguments were frequent after the baby’s birth. Vikramjeet allegedly viewed the child as an obstacle to his existing family commitments. The mother, in her complaint, stated that he had threatened her multiple times to get rid of the baby.
Police Investigation and Arrest
The Bilaspur police team, led by Inspector Rajesh Kumar, worked on the case for over a year, gathering evidence and tracking Vikramjeet’s movements. He had been evading arrest by moving between Hisar and Gurgaon. Finally, on Monday, a tip-off led to his capture near a bus stand in Gurgaon.
During interrogation, Vikramjeet detailed the method used: he mixed a pesticide with milk and fed it to the infant. The post-mortem report confirmed the presence of organophosphorus compounds, consistent with pesticide poisoning. The police have also recovered the container used for the poison from his residence.
Legal Proceedings
A murder case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. Vikramjeet was produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, with police examining possible charges of criminal breach of trust and abetment to suicide.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities of children in unstable domestic environments. Authorities urge anyone facing similar pressures to seek help from women’s helplines or police immediately.
