Fearing job loss due to MP's two-child policy, couple burry new born alive, arrested

A government school teacher and his wife allegedly buried their three-day old son alive in a forest in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh fearing job loss under the state's two-child policy.

The infant, couple's fourth child, was stunningly rescued after villagers heard cries from under the stones. He was pulled out and rushed to a hospital.

The couple, Bablu Dandolia, 38 and Rajkumari, 28 were arrested on Tuesday. They allegedly buried the child on September 26. Recently, NCRB data showed MP topped in infant abandonment cases for the fourth straight year.

The couple was initially booked for abandonment but not face charges of attempt-to-murder after video surfaced showing the infant buried under stones.

Police said the couple already has three children, including an 11-year-old daughter, a seven-year-old daughter & a four-year-old son.

“They told us they had managed to conceal the third child from records but feared Bablu would lose his job if a fourth was registered,” Dhanora PS in-charge Lakhanlal Ahirwar told TOI. “On Sept 23, Rajkumari gave birth to a boy. Three days later, they carried him on a motorcycle to the forest and abandoned him.”

Under MP’s two-child policy, no govt employee can have more than two children.

(With TOI inputs)