Belagavi (Karnataka), March 20 – A man in Belagavi district, Karnataka, was arrested on Friday for allegedly poisoning his 15-day-old daughter, reportedly because she was a girl, police said.
The accused, identified as Bhimaraya Chippade, was apprehended by the Kakati police in the district.
The incident took place on March 17 in Ukkad village of Belagavi taluk.
The baby's mother, Sheela, had filed a complaint at the Kakati Police station after the infant died under suspicious circumstances. The incident had raised concerns, with family members alleging the father's involvement in the child's death.
Meanwhile, Chippade had gone missing, prompting police to launch a search operation. He has now been located and arrested. The police are continuing to question him.
The mother had accused Chippade of carrying a small tube when he arrived to see the baby. Soon after he left the house, the baby girl died suddenly. Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused had used a pesticide to kill his daughter.
According to police sources, Chippade, a daily wage labourer, had married Sheela about a year ago and reportedly had a strong preference for a male child. He was reportedly upset after the birth of a girl 15 days ago. He had visited his wife at her parental home and left shortly after seeing the baby. Soon after his departure, the infant's health deteriorated.
The family rushed the baby to Belagavi BIMS Hospital, but doctors declared her dead on arrival. Preliminary suspicions indicated that a pesticide used for spraying cotton crops may have been administered to the infant.
Officials said the exact cause of death would be confirmed after the post-mortem examination. The body was shifted to the mortuary for further procedures.
Senior police officials, including DCP Narayan Bharamani, Belagavi Rural ACP, and Kakati CPI, visited the spot and conducted an inquiry.