A 60-year-old grandmother, identified as Rekha, has been arrested for allegedly strangling her 20-day-old granddaughter to death in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, India. The incident occurred at around 3am in Banne Buzurg village under the Palera police station area, according to police statements made on Sunday.
Details of the Incident
Police reports indicate that the baby's father, Dhaniram, works as a labourer in Delhi, while his wife, Pukkhan, had been living with her in-laws during her pregnancy. Investigators allege that Rekha was unhappy following the child's birth and had taunted her daughter-in-law for not giving birth to a son.
According to police, Rekha picked up the sleeping infant, carried her outside the house, and strangled her. She then placed the baby's body back beside her sleeping mother. When the mother awoke and found her daughter unresponsive, she alerted other family members. The grandmother allegedly attempted to pass off the death as natural and organised local faith-healing rituals.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Officers from Palera police station arrived at the scene after being informed of the incident. During their examination, they discovered marks around the infant's neck, prompting suspicion. Sustained questioning of both the mother and the grandmother eventually uncovered the alleged circumstances surrounding the baby's death.
Rekha was subsequently arrested and produced before a court, which remanded her to judicial custody. A case of murder has been registered, and further investigation is ongoing.
