Madhya Pradesh: Grandmother Kills Newborn Girl Over Desire for Boy, Arrested
Police in Madhya Pradesh’s Tikamgarh district have arrested a 60-year-old woman for allegedly strangling her 20-day-old granddaughter to death due to a preference for a male child. The accused, identified as Rekha, was taken into custody following an investigation into the infant's death and has since been remanded to judicial custody.
A 20-day-old baby girl was allegedly strangled to death by her grandmother in Madhya Pradesh's Tikamgarh district, with police claiming the accused acted because she wanted a grandson instead of another girl child. The woman has been arrested, and an investigation is underway into the incident that has once again drawn attention to the issue of gender bias and female infanticide in parts of the country. According to police, the incident took place in Banne Buzurg village under the Palera police station limits in Tikamgarh district, as reported by TOI. The victim, a 20-day-old infant, was allegedly killed by her paternal grandmother while other family members were away.
Investigators said the family became suspicious after the baby was found dead under unexplained circumstances. During questioning, police alleged that the grandmother confessed to strangling the child. She was subsequently taken into custody and booked under relevant provisions of the law. Ujjain Shocker: Stepmother Strangles Minor Girl To Death, Father Secretly Cremates Her; Video Captured by Village Children Exposes Murder.
Police Cite Gender Bias as Motive
Preliminary investigation indicates that the accused was unhappy over the birth of a girl and wanted her daughter-in-law to give birth to a son. Police also said the grandmother viewed raising another girl child as a financial burden, a factor they believe contributed to the alleged crime.
Officials said further investigation is in progress, and they are recording statements from family members and other witnesses to establish the complete sequence of events. Madhya Pradesh Shocker: 8-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Beaten With Nail-Studded Stick on Suspicions of Theft in Gwalior; Accused Arrested.
Investigation Continues
Police have said the case is being investigated thoroughly, and forensic as well as medical evidence is being examined as part of the inquiry. The accused remains in custody while legal proceedings continue.
Broader Context
The incident has renewed concerns over persistent gender discrimination and the preference for male children in some communities. Despite legal protections and awareness campaigns aimed at promoting the value of the girl child, experts and authorities have repeatedly highlighted that gender-based prejudice continues to contribute to cases of violence against female infants in certain regions.
Police have urged the public to report crimes against women and children promptly, while reiterating that the investigation will proceed in accordance with the law.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2026 11:19 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
