Mother Strangles One-Day-Old Baby at Ashoknagar District Hospital Over Son Preference

Ashoknagar District Hospital in Madhya Pradesh became the scene of a gruesome homicide when a mother allegedly strangled her one‑day‑old newborn daughter on a hospital bed. The infant, who had been admitted for routine post‑natal care, was found dead after the mother applied pressure to the child's throat.

Investigators from the local police identified the mother as Bhavna Vishwakarma. According to the police report, Vishwakarma acted out of a fear that her family would taunt her for not bearing a son, a motive that has been linked to deep‑rooted gender bias in parts of the region.

The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and the suspect has been taken into custody for further interrogation. Authorities have not released details about any additional charges or the timeline for a court hearing.

Police officials emphasized that such acts of gender‑based violence are unacceptable and urged the community to report any similar threats. The incident has reignited discussions about the societal pressure on women to produce male offspring in certain Indian communities.