Doctor’s vital statement on newborn’s death; lover knew about pregnancy only after delivery, says woman

ALAPPUZHA: The death of the newborn baby girl in Thakazhi is suspected to be murder. The statement of the doctor, who treated the woman turned crucial, in this regard. The doctor testified that the woman told him that the baby had cried immediately after the delivery.

The preliminary post-mortem report also hinted of a murder. Meantime, Poochakkal circle inspector N R Jose said that a detailed scientific examination is required to come to a definite conclusion about the cause of death. The woman had stated that her lover was aware of the pregnancy only after she gave birth.

The police will file a custody plea for the accused today. The police had arrested the woman identified as Dona Joji (22) of Poochakkal, her boyfriend Thomas Joseph (24) of Thakazhi Kunnumma and his friend Ashok Joseph (30) of Thakazhi Kunnumma, on Sunday. The woman gave birth on August 7 early morning at 1.30 am at her home.

The two accused, who received the baby from Sona buried it in the bund of a paddy field at Vandepuram in Thakazhi. The woman was admitted in the hospital following bleeding. The hospital authorities were informed about the delivery then. When the doctors asked her about the baby, she said that she had handed it over to her boyfriend. The hospital authorities immediately informed the police.

On the basis of Thomas's statement, the baby's body was taken out on Sunday and a post-mortem was conducted at the Alappuzha Medical College. It is also hinted that it was a premature delivery. The post-mortem was conducted by Alappuzha Medical College forensic associate Prof Dr Krishnan, Dr Pooja, Dr Ajay and Dr Manoj. The child's DNA sample has been sent for scientific testing.

Relatives of the woman from Poochakkal arrived and received the body of the newborn baby and laid it to rest at the crematorium in Alappuzha. The woman is a forensic science graduate. The police also suspect that the room was cleaned after the delivery and evidence destroyed.