Kerala High Court on Thursday allowed bail to a woman accused of drowning her newborn child by dropping into a bucket of water which resulted in the infant’s death. It has been alleged that the woman was ashamed of being pregnant for the 6th time and therefore, killed her child.
It is submitted that a 33-year old woman has been suffering from multiple disabilities.
Justice Gopinath P allowed her bail petition noting that her custodial interrogation may not be necessary for the investigation.
“Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the fact that the petitioner is stated to be suffering from multiple disabilities and the fact that she has been in custody from 10-12-2021 and considering the fact that her continued detention may not be necessary for the purpose of any investigation, I am opinion that the petitioner can be granted bail subject to conditions,” noted Justice Gopinath.
It was alleged that the woman along with her elder daughter, aged 15, caused the death by dropping the baby into a bucket of water.
She has been booked under Section 302 (murder) r/w Section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
However, Advocate Sijo Pathaparambil Joseph appearing for the woman submitted that she is falsely accused as the death of the infant was an accident.
Advocate Sijo added that the petitioner has been suffering from multiple disabilities and bedridden for the last ten years. The woman, in her statement, submitted that she had asked her elder daughter to bathe the baby but because of her inexperience, the child accidentally died while being bathed.
However, public prosecutor Noshad K.A. argued that as per the statements given by neighbors, the woman had concealed her pregnancy and was ashamed of being pregnant for the 6th time.
