Introduction

In a shocking incident, the Tiruchi District Rural Police apprehended a 49-year-old man on Wednesday for callously disposing of a newborn baby boy in a well. The heart-wrenching act was motivated by the man’s belief that the child was a result of his daughter’s alleged extramarital affair. The accused, identified as L. Maria Jacob, committed the heinous crime at the Government Hospital in Manapparai, where his daughter, Maria Vinothini, gave birth on December 30, 2023.

The Background

According to reliable police sources, Maria Vinothini had been residing with her father following marital discord with her husband. During this time, she is alleged to have engaged in an extramarital relationship, resulting in her pregnancy and subsequent delivery of a baby boy.

The Despicable Act

Frustrated by his inability to find a buyer for the infant, Maria Jacob resorted to a gruesome act. He wrapped the innocent child in a piece of cloth and concealed it within a bag. On January 7, 2024, he heartlessly threw the bag containing the baby into a well located near his residence in Karungulam. Shockingly, he deceivingly informed his daughter that he had sold the baby, further adding to her anguish.

Legal Action

The Village Administrative Officer of Chekkanam village lodged a complaint, leading the Vaiyampatti police to register a case against Maria Jacob. The accused has been charged under Sections 302 (Punishment for murder), 318 (Concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body), and 315 (Act done with intent to prevent child being born alive or to cause it to die after birth) of the Indian Penal Code. The police promptly arrested Maria Jacob, ensuring that justice will be served for this heinous crime.

Conclusion

This tragic incident highlights the importance of addressing societal stigmas surrounding extramarital affairs and the dire consequences they can entail. It serves as a grim reminder of the need to foster compassion, support, and understanding within families to prevent such heartrending incidents from occurring in the future.