Madhya Pradesh Tops India in Infant Abandonment Cases, NCRB Data Reveals
Madhya Pradesh continues to report the highest number of infant abandonment cases in the country, underscoring a severe and persistent social crisis. According to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the state has consistently led the nation in these distressing incidents over the past five years. The "Crime in India 2023" report highlights that despite a national decline in overall cases to 653, Madhya Pradesh alone accounted for 140 cases in 2023, maintaining its top position from 2019 to 2023. This trend indicates a systematic issue rather than random occurrences, necessitating urgent examination of underlying causes.
Shocking Cases of Abandonment Across the State
A series of harrowing incidents from various districts illustrate the extreme measures taken in abandoning newborns, often putting their lives at immediate risk. While some infants survived due to timely interventions, others faced tragic fates, revealing a complex web of fear, social stigma, and policy pressures.
Borewell Horror: A Newborn's Miraculous Survival
In Vidisha district, a newborn girl was abandoned within hours of birth in a 20-foot-deep dry borewell using a makeshift cloth sling. Police described it as a planned act, though the sling may have inadvertently cushioned her fall. A local passerby heard faint cries and alerted authorities via Dial 112, leading to a swift rescue. The infant was hospitalized and survived, while her 22-year-old mother was arrested, sending shockwaves through the region.
Newborn Buried Alive: Fear of Job Loss Drives Extreme Act
In Chhindwara district, a government school teacher and his wife buried their three-day-old son alive in a forest, fearing job loss under Madhya Pradesh's two-child policy for government employees. The couple, who already had three children, concealed the third from records but panicked with the fourth birth. Villagers rescued the baby after hearing cries, and police added attempt to murder charges after a video surfaced. The couple was arrested and jailed.
The 'Pihu' Case: Brutality and Medical Triumph
In Rajgarh district, a newborn girl named Pihu was found in a dustbin with her throat slit, bleeding profusely. Passersby alerted police, and she was rushed to hospitals for advanced treatment. Doctors performed multiple surgeries over a month, repairing damaged blood vessels. Her survival was termed miraculous, and investigations led to the arrest of her mother and grandmother on attempt to murder and abandonment charges. Pihu recovered and was placed in a shelter home.
Other Disturbing Incidents
- Hospital Toilet Tragedy: In Parasia, a newborn girl's body was found lodged in a civil hospital toilet commode, suspected to be disposed of by a pregnant woman during OPD hours. Police reviewed CCTV footage and registers but found no immediate leads, with social factors possibly linked to the birth of a girl child.
- Abandonment in Bushes: In Sidhi district, a newborn girl was found crying in bushes near Kaimur hills, rescued by villagers, and hospitalized in stable condition, highlighting recurring cases across the state.
- Bus Stand Abandonment: At Sarwate Bus stand, a couple abandoned a newborn on a bus, leaving it wrapped in clean clothes. The conductor discovered the baby after they failed to return, and police took custody, noting the infant appeared from a middle-class family.
Beyond Abandonment: Foeticide and Infanticide Data
The NCRB report also sheds light on related crimes, with Madhya Pradesh recording 20 foeticide cases (second highest after Chhattisgarh) and 12 infanticide cases (second highest after Haryana) in 2023. These figures point to a broader pattern of violence against unborn and newborn children, extending beyond mere abandonment.
A Crisis Demanding Urgent Attention
From borewells and forests to dustbins, buses, and hospital premises, the recurring incidents of infant abandonment in Madhya Pradesh reveal a deeply troubling societal issue. While some children survive due to interventions, the NCRB data confirms a sustained trend, with the state consistently leading national statistics. Addressing this crisis requires not only law enforcement but also enhanced awareness, robust social support systems, and preventive measures to tackle the root causes before such tragedies occur.
