Chennai: man dumps stillborn baby in river to avoid funeral expense

A Chennai man dumped his stillborn son in Cooum River because he could not afford to perform the last rites. Authorities said the 25-year-old sneaked out the child’s remains in a jute bag on October 11

The child’s body, which is now due for an autopsy, was recovered from the river after rescue officers intervened on October 12.

Police identified the man as Santosh Kumar, who has now been booked.

Authorities informed that Kumar, a native of Kodambakkam, is supposedly a habitual drinker, as per Indian Express. He has now been charged under Section 318 (concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead boy) of the Indian Penal Code.

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“Sometime after midnight the relatives found the baby missing and noticed that Santhosh Kumar was absent as well,” a police officer told the outlet. Kumar later admitted to dumping the body after he was beaten up by his family members.