AYOOR: A scheduled caste woman and her baby died after her husband and son performed the delivery without taking her to the hospital. The deceased have been identified as Kollam Chadayamangalam native Ashwathy (34) and her baby boy.

The husband cut the umbilical cord with a knife he had at home. The Chadayamangalam police have registered a case and started an investigation. Aswathy's husband Anil (43) told the police that he and his 17-year-old elder son performed the delivery together at around 1 am last night. He testified that he did not take Aswathy to the government hospital for delivery as he did not know that she would get free treatment at the hospital. He also said that it was Ashwathy who told him not to take her to the hospital due to financial difficulties.

After giving birth, Ashwathy said that she was hungry. She then fell asleep after drinking the porridge. She started experiencing epilepsy by around 4.30 am. She died soon after that. Anil said that the newborn child was also dead when he checked.

The bodies were taken to the medical college in the morning after the locals intervened. There are no other houses near Anil's house. ASHA worker and ward member said that they did not know that Ashwathy was pregnant.

The police have not fully believed Anil's explanation. Minister J Chinchu Rani, who is also the local MLA, demanded an urgent report. The DMO said that an investigation has been launched under the leadership of an RCH officer.