Woman Detained in Hamirpur for Allegedly Abandoning Newborn at Hospital
In a distressing incident, Hamirpur police have detained a woman accused of abandoning her newborn baby girl at Dr Radhakrishnan Medical College and Hospital on March 23. The case unfolded after hospital authorities alerted the police about the unattended infant, prompting immediate action from law enforcement.
Infant Under Medical Supervision and Care
According to Hamirpur Superintendent of Police Balbir Thakur, the prematurely born baby girl is currently under medical supervision and is being cared for by the district Child Welfare Committee. The infant was referred from Bhoranj hospital to the Hamirpur medical college on March 22 for treatment, but the mother allegedly left the hospital the following day, leaving the child behind.
Mother Identified and Provided Support
The mother has been identified as Anjali, who is of Nepalese origin and comes from an economically weak background. She has been sent to the district One Stop Centre, also known as the Sakhi Centre, for support and counselling. This move aims to address her circumstances while ensuring the child's welfare remains a priority.
Legal Action and Investigation Underway
Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Sadar police station under Section 93 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which specifically deals with the abandonment of a child under 12 years of age. This legal step underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the commitment to uphold child protection laws.
Allegations of Attempted Sale Being Probed
In addition to the abandonment case, police are investigating allegations made by some individuals at the hospital that the couple had earlier attempted to sell the newborn for Rs 10,000. This aspect of the investigation adds another layer to the case, highlighting potential broader issues of exploitation and neglect.
The incident has raised concerns about child safety and the support systems available for vulnerable families in the region. Authorities are working to ensure the infant receives proper care while the legal proceedings continue.
