Citing the words of poet Rabindranath Tagore, Bhopal’s 23rd Additional Sessions Judge Atul Saxena delivered a landmark judgment on Thursday, sentencing a woman to life imprisonment for murdering her one-month-old daughter. In his 104-page verdict, Judge Saxena included Tagore’s lines: "When a daughter is born, it is a sure proof that God is not unhappy with mankind, because God manifests himself through daughters."
The court underscored the vital role of daughters in society, describing them as the "strong signature of civilization, culture, and nation-building." The judgment further emphasized that daughters symbolize "the bond of hearts, the vibration of emotions, the basis of creation, the form of devotion, and the essence of culture." In present-day India, the court remarked, daughters are a source of "courage, service, civilization, beauty, and strength."
The case dates back to September 16, 2020, when the accused mother, Sarita Bai Mewada, drowned her one-month-old daughter, Kinjal Mewada, in a water tank at her home in Dahriya village, under Khajuri police station limits in Bhopal. According to the prosecution, Sarita, who was hoping for a son, harbored deep resentment towards her newborn daughter.
The tragedy unfolded when Kinjal suddenly went missing around 3:30 PM. Upon being questioned, Sarita gave a shocking response, claiming that "ghosts had taken away the child." However, when the family began searching, the baby’s body was found in a plastic water drum with its lid closed at around 4:00 PM.
At the time of the incident, the baby was last seen in the room with her mother, while other family members were in separate rooms. Initial investigations by the then Khajuri police station in-charge, LD Mishra, pointed towards foul play, with strong suspicion falling on the mother. After further inquiry, Sarita was arrested, and during interrogation, she confessed to killing her daughter, stating that she hated the child because she wanted a son.
The prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor Sudha Vijay Singh Bhadauria, presented a strong case against Sarita, leading to her conviction and life imprisonment. The judgment sends a stern message against gender-based discrimination and highlights the court’s commitment to upholding the dignity and value of daughters in society.
