Kerala Mother Arrested for Newborn Murder After Concealing Pregnancy
In a tragic case from the state capital, police have confirmed that the mysterious death of a newborn was a murder, with the 21-year-old mother confessing to the crime. The Aryancode police arrested the accused, Shamna, on Tuesday and registered a case under Section 101 (punishment for murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Discovery of the Infant and Initial Investigation
The incident came to light on Sunday at Poozhanadu near Kattakada, when the infant was found wrapped in a blanket and hidden under a cot inside the house. Initially treated as an unnatural death, the investigation took a decisive turn after forensic findings and questioning raised strong suspicions of foul play.
According to police, Shamna had concealed her pregnancy from family members and delivered the baby at home while alone. Her husband, Althaf, an autorickshaw driver, briefly stepped out to arrange transport after she complained of abdominal pain. Upon returning, he found her bleeding heavily and discovered the newborn while preparing to take her to the hospital.
Medical Intervention and Forensic Evidence
The baby was rushed to a nearby private hospital along with the mother, but doctors declared the infant brought dead. Medical staff alerted the police after noticing suspicious injuries on the infant's body, prompting a detailed investigation. Sources revealed that the postmortem examination, conducted at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, confirmed the death was not natural, strengthening the case for murder.
During sustained questioning, Shamna reportedly admitted to killing the newborn, leading to her arrest. Police officials indicated that evidence collected from the scene and medical reports corroborated her confession.
Complexities in the Case and Ongoing Probe
Investigators are probing the circumstances under which the pregnancy remained hidden from the family, who claimed they were unaware that Shamna was pregnant. This aspect has added a layer of complexity to the case, with officials examining possible motives.
The accused will be produced before the magistrate in the coming days, as Shamna is undergoing treatment at the SAT hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Police stated that further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events, including whether the act was premeditated or committed under distress.
