Infant found dead in garbage bin by ragpicker

An infant girl, perhaps two or three days old, was found dead in a garbage bin in Nalasopara (East) on Thursday.

The body of the baby was discovered by a ragpicker in the bin just outside a school on Tulinj road, and he brought this to the notice of residents nearby. There were visible rat bites on the body and it appeared to have also been bitten by stray dogs.

The police said it appeared that the infant was dumped there two or three days ago and would have suffered in the sweltering heat.

Surendra Negi, a resident, said some people said they had seen a woman moving about suspiciously in the area at night, but they did not confront her. "Today, the ragpicker came and told us what he had seen and we informed the police," Negi said.

The police have registered a case under section 318 of the Indian Penal Code (for concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body) against an unidentified person. Surendra Shinde, investigating officer, Nalasopara police station, said they are investigating the matter.