MALAPPURAM: One more has been taken into custody in connection with the death of the woman, who died after delivery at home. The Malappuram police took into custody Fathima of Othukkungal, who helped Asma in delivering at home. The police had earlier arrested Sirajudeen, husband of Asma, in the incident.

Sirajudeen is accused of intentionally forcing 35-year-old Asma to give birth at home. Sirajudeen has been charged with homicide as Asma died during childbirth and later with destruction of evidence. Two of Asma's deliveries were in the hospital and three at home. Police said the investigation clarified that she gave birth at home as her husband did not allow her to go to the hospital.

The postmortem report said Asma died of blood loss due to lack of medical care after giving birth. The report also said that she would not have died if she had got proper care. Sirajudeen forced Asma to give birth at home on the false pretext of giving birth without pain as he had studied acupuncture.

Sirajudeen is one who used to spread superstitions through his YouTube channel Madawul Qafila. With only a seventh-grade education, he used his ability to speak to instill superstitions in many people. Sirajudeen was a regular listener of lectures justifying home births.

The incident happened at around 6 pm last Saturday. Sirajudeen came to know that his wife had died at around 9 pm. Sirajudeen later took the body to his house in Perumbavoor. The police then shifted the body to the Perumbavoor Taluk Hospital. The baby is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Perumbavoor.