A newborn baby was found abandoned inside a sack on a garbage heap in the Peele Quarter area of Karond, Bhopal, late Saturday night. The discovery was made by Mushtaq Khan, a taxi driver, who heard the baby crying while passing by. On opening the sack, he was shocked to find the infant inside and immediately alerted the Nishatpura police.
Upon receiving the information, a police team led by ASI RP Bharti promptly arrived at the scene and rescued the baby. The infant was rushed to Kamala Nehru Hospital for immediate medical care. Doctors at the hospital confirmed that the baby is currently in stable condition but remains under observation.
According to the medical team, the baby had minor scratch marks on the back, which may have been caused by a wild animal attempting to claw through the sack. The infant is on oxygen support and being fed through a rice tube. Doctors estimate it may take two to three days for the child to fully stabilize. After medical clearance, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) will take custody of the newborn.
ASI RP Bharti, the investigating officer, reported that there were no visible injuries apart from the scratch marks. However, identifying the person responsible for abandoning the baby remains challenging due to the absence of CCTV cameras near the location. The police are now examining surveillance footage from nearby roads and local areas to trace the suspect.
The recurring incidents of newborn abandonment have raised concerns among social welfare authorities and the police. Experts believe that societal stigma surrounding unplanned pregnancies and the lack of awareness about legal options for child adoption may contribute to such actions.
Child welfare officials urge families facing crises to seek help through official channels rather than resorting to abandonment. Under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, abandoning a child is a punishable offense, carrying severe legal consequences.
Police have appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity related to abandoned children immediately. Meanwhile, the search continues for those responsible for leaving the newborn in Karond, with authorities vowing to take strict legal action once the perpetrators are identified.
Local NGOs and child welfare groups continue to advocate for safe surrender policies, encouraging distressed parents to approach recognized adoption agencies and legal adoption channels to ensure the well-being of vulnerable infants.
