Home birth death: Investigation extended to YouTube channel; husband arrested; secret WhatsApp groups involved?

MALAPPURAM: The Malappuram police have registered the arrest of husband Sirajuddin (39) in the case of the death of a woman after giving birth at home in Kodur Chattipparamba. He has been charged with homicide without intent to kill and destruction of evidence. Asma (35), a native of Perumbavoor, died due to excessive bleeding following the delivery at home.

The investigation will be extended to more people, including the midwife from Malappuram who helped in the delivery. The placenta and other evidence have been eliminated to destroy the evidence. The accused will be taken into custody to investigate this. It will also be investigated whether any secret WhatsApp groups were involved in the home delivery. District Police Chief R Vishwanath said that the accused had given such an indication in his confession.

The accused's YouTube channel campaign that home births do not cause health problems will also be investigated. Asma's first two deliveries took place in a hospital and the next three at home. The accused is a person with excessive spiritual interests. The deliveries were made at home because of his beliefs. The police said that it is believed that Asma gave birth at home at the instigation of her husband. A special team led by Malappuram Police Inspector P Vishnu is investigating.

Accused has only seventh-grade education

The accused Sirajuddin has only a seventh-grade education. He has many followers because he speaks attractively on spiritual matters. He used to promote home births, religious sermons, spiritual superstitions, and unscientific treatments through his YouTube channel. His main source of income is YouTube.

Criminal offence

Although home birth is not legally a crime, if it causes harm to the mother or the child, it will be considered a criminal offence. The crime is that the accused knowingly denied treatment by not using modern medical facilities when they were available in the country.