Newborn girl buried alive in Uttar Pradesh fights for life
In Shahjahanpur, a 20-day-old girl is in critical condition after being found buried under mud. Police are investigating, and officials have not named suspects as doctors work to save the infant in a government hospital.
A 20-day-old girl in Uttar Pradesh is fighting for survival after being found buried alive in Shahjahanpur district. A shepherd grazing his goats heard faint cries from beneath a mound of earth and uncovered the infant, who was smeared with dirt and gasping for air.
The baby was brought to the government-run medical college and hospital, where doctors described her condition as critical due to oxygen deficiency and infection. The mud had entered her mouth and nostrils, and she had insect bites and exposure to animals. The infant is in the neonatal intensive care unit as physicians assess how best to treat the injuries and infections.
After 24 hours, there was a minor improvement, but the patient later deteriorated as an infection developed. A team of doctors, including a plastic surgeon, are treating the child and attempting to control the infection. Doctors say the prognosis remains grave, even as they provide the best possible care and monitor her response to treatment. Police have not named suspects or announced any charges; investigators say they are pursuing leads and have sought information from the state child helpline, which has been informed of the case.
Shahjahanpur is in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state. The incident underscores persistent concerns about gender bias in the country, where campaigners say the traditional preference for sons has contributed to a skewed gender ratio. While illegal sex-determination clinics facilitate many cases of female foeticide, cases of girls being killed after birth also occur in parts of the country, particularly among poorer communities. The BBC and other outlets have reported on similar cases in the past, highlighting ongoing social and economic factors that complicate efforts to protect girls.
Experts say the case is a stark reminder of the need for stronger enforcement of protections for girls and for sustained public awareness campaigns to change attitudes. Health officials emphasize the importance of rapid access to emergency care for newborns and the critical role of tracing and supporting families to prevent abandonment. The hospital and police declined to comment further as the investigation continues.