Ahmedabad: What began as a desperate search for a missing infant in Meghaninagar ended in a heartbreaking revelation — the child’s own mother had taken his life.
Karishma Baghel, 22, was arrested on Monday night after police found her three-month-old son’s body in an underground water tank. Initially booked as an accidental death, the case took a shocking turn after the postmortem confirmed death by drowning. Police grew suspicious when Karishma’s version of events showed several inconsistencies.
According to senior police inspector D B Basiya, Karishma had been struggling both physically and emotionally since her pregnancy. She reportedly underwent complications during the third month and had to deliver the child via surgery. On Saturday morning, when the child wouldn’t stop crying, Karishma allegedly lost control.
“She told us she wanted to go to the bathroom but couldn’t calm the child,” said Basiya. “So, she carried him to the underground tank and killed him.”
The tank was covered with a heavy iron manhole, and its placement made it highly unlikely that a baby could have ended up there accidentally. This, combined with Karishma’s conflicting statements, led police to re-examine the case.
The chain of events began around 11am on Saturday when Karishma’s husband, Dilip Baghel, reported their child missing. Dilip told police that he had been asleep while Karishma and his mother, Gudi, were taking care of the baby. He was awakened by Karishma, who claimed the child had vanished. A search was launched. Neighbours joined in and CCTV footage was checked. The police also called in announcers to help spread the word.
In her initial statement, Karishma told police that she had fed the child, but he kept crying. “She told us that her mother-in-law went outside to clean, and Dilip was still asleep. She laid the child down to go to the bathroom and, upon returning, found him missing,” said police.
But investigators noted Karishma’s story had gaps. “She appeared anxious and avoided eye contact,” said a police officer. “When we questioned her further, she kept changing her version.” Officers then checked the premises thoroughly and found the underground water tank. When they opened it, they discovered the child’s body floating inside.
The complaint, filed by PSI J B Trivedi, also mentioned a troubling incident from the day before the baby’s death. The child had somehow ended up at the bottom of the stairs while the rest of the family was on the upper floor, raising concerns about his safety at home.
Once the postmortem confirmed drowning as the cause of death, police booked Karishma for murder and furnishing false information. Investigators are now trying to assess her mental state and whether any signs of postpartum depression or distress were overlooked.
MSID:: 120097886 413 |
Karishma Baghel, 22, was arrested on Monday night after police found her three-month-old son’s body in an underground water tank. Initially booked as an accidental death, the case took a shocking turn after the postmortem confirmed death by drowning. Police grew suspicious when Karishma’s version of events showed several inconsistencies.
According to senior police inspector D B Basiya, Karishma had been struggling both physically and emotionally since her pregnancy. She reportedly underwent complications during the third month and had to deliver the child via surgery. On Saturday morning, when the child wouldn’t stop crying, Karishma allegedly lost control.
“She told us she wanted to go to the bathroom but couldn’t calm the child,” said Basiya. “So, she carried him to the underground tank and killed him.”
The tank was covered with a heavy iron manhole, and its placement made it highly unlikely that a baby could have ended up there accidentally. This, combined with Karishma’s conflicting statements, led police to re-examine the case.
The chain of events began around 11am on Saturday when Karishma’s husband, Dilip Baghel, reported their child missing. Dilip told police that he had been asleep while Karishma and his mother, Gudi, were taking care of the baby. He was awakened by Karishma, who claimed the child had vanished. A search was launched. Neighbours joined in and CCTV footage was checked. The police also called in announcers to help spread the word.
In her initial statement, Karishma told police that she had fed the child, but he kept crying. “She told us that her mother-in-law went outside to clean, and Dilip was still asleep. She laid the child down to go to the bathroom and, upon returning, found him missing,” said police.
But investigators noted Karishma’s story had gaps. “She appeared anxious and avoided eye contact,” said a police officer. “When we questioned her further, she kept changing her version.” Officers then checked the premises thoroughly and found the underground water tank. When they opened it, they discovered the child’s body floating inside.
The complaint, filed by PSI J B Trivedi, also mentioned a troubling incident from the day before the baby’s death. The child had somehow ended up at the bottom of the stairs while the rest of the family was on the upper floor, raising concerns about his safety at home.
Once the postmortem confirmed drowning as the cause of death, police booked Karishma for murder and furnishing false information. Investigators are now trying to assess her mental state and whether any signs of postpartum depression or distress were overlooked.
MSID:: 120097886 413 |