THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kollam police arrested a woman and her husband for allegedly killing their one day old baby since they did not want a second child. Puthur police identified the accused as Ambili , 23 and her husband Mahesh, 26, who resided at Puthur.The gruesome case of filicide came to light after the body of a newborn baby was found near the residence of Ambili and Mahesh on Saturday. Stray dogs had dug into the small pit and fished out the body where the baby had been reportedly buried alive. The arms and legs of the baby had almost been bitten off by the dogs.A detailed police probe centering pregnant ladies in the locale led to the arrest of Ambili and Mahesh. According to Puthur police it was an Asha worker who helped them identify the culprits. "During the probe, we found out that they had sought treatment from two hospitals. They already have a 2.5 year old baby and they did not want a second child. They had tried for termination of pregnancy but since she had been carrying for four months, hospital authorities refused MTP (medical termination of pregnancy)," said Deepu D, SHO, Puthur police station near Kottarakara The police said that Ambili delivered around 4pm on Tuesday at their home. Her husband who worked as a mason was away at work. She took the baby outside, dug a small pit and put the baby in the pit. She then filled it with earth and trampled over the earth and kicked it with live baby inside. According to police the ribs of the baby were broken and lungs had sustained serious damage, which might have been caused by being crushed over by a heavy object. The police are awaiting detailed post-mortem report.Ambili has however told police that it was a case of stillbirth and she only buried it. However police have learnt that with hospitals refusing to terminate pregnancy, Mahesh used to buy pills for Ambili to cause abortion. The couple had got married against the wish of their parents and had not been on good terms with their families. The police have been told that both of their parents were not aware about Ambili's pregnancy, police have not however bought this statement.Six years ago a similar case was reported at Puthur police station when a cashew factory worker had delivered a baby and then buried it alive and went for work. The police said that although Ambili was responsible for the death of the baby, Mahesh knew about it and did not disclose the matter even when he was questioned earlier by the police. They have been charged with sections 315, 302,318 and 34 of IPC. They were produced in the court and remanded in judicial custody.

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