Palghar, Maharashtra: In a deeply disturbing incident, a woman from Kolkata, West Bengal allegedly suffocated her newborn daughter to death after learning she had given birth to her fourth girl child. The tragic incident took place around midnight on April 26 at the Dahanu Sub-District Hospital, located in the Lonipada area of Dahanu city, Palghar district.
The accused, Poonam Shah, had traveled to Dahanu from West Bengal to stay with her parents during her pregnancy. Her family has been residing in Lonipada for several years. Last week, she delivered a healthy baby girl at home in Lonipada, after which she and the infant were admitted to the sub-district hospital for postnatal care.
Overwhelmed by despair that her fourth child was again a girl, Poonam allegedly pressed her hand over the newborn’s nose and mouth, suffocating her. The infant was declared dead shortly thereafter. Upon learning of the incident, hospital staff immediately alerted Dahanu Police, who registered a case and took the baby’s body for post-mortem examination.
During preliminary questioning, Poonam confessed to the crime, stating that she took the drastic step due to emotional distress caused by societal and familial pressure over giving birth to yet another daughter. She has studied up to the ninth grade and is originally from Uttar Pradesh, while her marital home is in West Bengal.
The case is being investigated under the supervision of Sub-Divisional Police Officer Bhagirathi Pawar. Further investigation is underway.
