In a distressing incident from Barwani district, Madhya Pradesh, police have successfully identified the mother of a newborn baby girl who was found abandoned in an open field. The investigation led to a 17-year-old minor who alleged she was sexually exploited by a 27-year-old man, leading to the pregnancy.
Discovery of the Newborn and Police Investigation
The case came to light on December 17 when a newborn girl was discovered lying in a field under severe cold conditions within the jurisdiction of the Palsud police station. Sukhlaal Bhanwar, the police station in-charge, informed that a case was immediately registered against unknown persons, and a search for the infant's mother was launched.
The search concluded with the identification of a 17-year-old girl. During questioning, she revealed a harrowing tale of exploitation. She stated that while working as a labourer, she came in contact with a man identified as Anil, aged 27. Anil allegedly promised to marry her and, on this pretext, sexually exploited her on multiple occasions.
The Minor's Ordeal and Abandonment
The teenage girl claimed she only became aware of her pregnancy at a very advanced stage. After she delivered the child, Anil refused to take any responsibility, stopped meeting her, and subsequently fled to Maharashtra.
"The delivery was conducted at home with the assistance of her mother. Fearing social stigma and complications in the future marriage of her unmarried daughter, the mother decided to abandon the newborn in a nearby field," explained Police Station In-charge Sukhlaal Bhanwar.
Following the abandonment, the police intensified their efforts. They tracked down and arrested Anil from Maharashtra. He was produced in court on Wednesday and remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation exposed that Anil was already married and has three children.
Legal Actions and Current Status
The legal process has moved on multiple fronts. While the primary accused, Anil, is in custody, the police have also registered a case against the minor girl and her mother for abandoning the newborn. Both were, however, released after being served notices for appearance in court.
A critical outcome of this tragedy is the child's current situation. Since neither the minor mother nor her grandmother was willing to accept the child, the newborn girl has been placed under care at the district hospital for her safety and well-being.
This case highlights severe issues of child exploitation, statutory rape, and the desperate measures driven by social stigma. The Barwani police's swift action in tracing the mother and arresting the accused from another state marks a significant step in the investigation.
