Infanticide – Father and Grandfather Arrested After Infant Girl Found Buried in West Bengal

Infanticide –A two-month-old baby girl’s death in North 24 Parganas has triggered a police investigation after authorities arrested her father and grandfather on suspicion of murdering the child and burying her without informing officials.

A shocking case from West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district has drawn widespread attention after police arrested a man and his father over the alleged killing of a two-month-old baby girl. The incident came to light in the Jagatdal area, where officers later recovered the infant’s body from a forested location and sent it for a post-mortem examination. Investigators are now awaiting medical findings to establish the exact cause of death.

Police Arrest Two Family Members

According to police, the accused have been identified as Apurba Banerjee, the child’s father, and Vikas Banerjee, her grandfather. Preliminary findings suggest that the family had been hoping for the birth of a son and reportedly remained unhappy after the arrival of a second daughter. Investigators also stated that neither of the two men had visited the hospital following the child’s birth to see the mother or the newborn.

The police said the infant had reportedly been ill for the last few days. However, suspicions intensified on Wednesday after allegations surfaced that the child had not died naturally but had instead been killed before being buried in a nearby wooded area.

Body Recovered Following Local Complaint

The matter reached the police after residents raised concerns and lodged a complaint questioning the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. Officers took the accused to the suspected burial site, where the infant’s body was exhumed in the presence of officials.

The remains were later sent to Barrackpore Sub-Divisional Hospital for an autopsy. Following the recovery of the body, police formally arrested both accused and registered a case under the relevant legal provisions. Investigators said further action would depend on the evidence collected during the inquiry and the medical examination report.

Neighbours Questioned the Family’s Actions

People living in the area said the family’s explanation did not convince them. Several residents reportedly became suspicious after learning that the baby had been buried almost immediately without informing neighbours, community members or the authorities.

One neighbour told local media that although the family claimed the child had died of natural causes, the decision to conduct a hurried burial raised serious doubts. Residents demanded a thorough investigation to determine whether the infant’s death resulted from natural illness or a criminal act.

Neighbour Chandrani Mondal said they received information that the child had allegedly been killed by her father and grandfather. She added that when residents approached the family, they were told the baby had died naturally. However, she questioned why the burial had taken place so quickly without informing anyone and urged police to investigate every aspect of the case.

Mother’s Statement Becomes Key to Investigation

The child’s mother, Sampati Banerjee, told police that her daughter had been unwell for two to three days. She said that when she woke up on the morning of the incident, the baby appeared cold and was not breathing.

According to her statement, she wanted to take the child to a hospital, but her husband and father-in-law refused. She alleged that they took the infant from her and buried the body in a forested area near their home without allowing medical examination or informing the authorities.

Investigation Continues Awaiting Medical Report

Police said the post-mortem examination will play a crucial role in determining how the infant died. Investigators are examining all available evidence, recording witness statements and verifying the family’s claims as part of the ongoing probe.

Authorities have stated that the investigation remains active, and further legal steps will be taken based on the forensic findings and other evidence collected during the course of the inquiry.