In just four years, 59 ‘unwanted’ babies were found off the streets, abandoned by their parents.
Even as the shocking case of a 19-year-old engineering student who abandoned her newborn in a ditch has come to light, statistics obtained from records of Pune police show that such cases are not isolated. In just four years, 59 ‘unwanted’ babies were found off the streets, abandoned by their parents.
The cases have all been registered under section 317 of the Indian Penal Code that covers crime against children by parents.
In 2011, 12 cases were registered, while in 2010, the number was 21. In 2009, 12 cases were reported, while 14 children were abandoned in 2008. The incident reported on Monday was the first case registered so far this year.
Sadly, not all the 60 children were found alive; by the time help arrived, it was too late. Police officials and social workers blame illicit and live-in relationships as well as lack of awareness about help available to women for the incidences.
Senior inspector Bhanupratap Barge, in-charge of the social security cell, said, “Most children who are found abandoned are those born out of wedlock or illicit relationships. Nowadays, we see more live-in relationships.
But, after the girls become pregnant, their partners refuse to support them.”
“Women get scared and often resort to abandoning newborn children. However, even women in live-in relationships or those cheated by boyfriends have legal protection and they should seek our help instead of abandoning children,” Barge added.
Madhuri Abhyankar, director of Society of Friends of Sassoon Hospital, where many such abandoned babies are sent for care on monthly basis, said that lack of awareness about help available is a major reason for this.
“These incidences would continue to keep happening till societal attitudes towards role and responsibility doesn’t change. A child born of wedlock or live-in relations aren’t just a woman’s shame, the partner is equally responsible,” Abhyankar said.
“Women usually resort to abandoning children as they don’t get familial support and out of ignorance of law and shame, they are left with no choice. Women should be empowered to assert their rights and told about centres that will maintain confidentiality and solve their problems,” she added.
Experts warn of dire consequences as abandonment of children can earn birth parents up to seven years imprisonment and if any untoward event happens with child after it is abandoned, the quantum of punishment is more severe.
Shockingly of all abandoned babies, very few birth parents get traced. Police officials say part of reason is that people usually select far off areas to abandon their children.
“If the parents are locals, they can be easily traced. But in most cases, people abandon their children outside their cities or far off areas in order to avoid detection. That’s why it becomes difficult to trace the birth parents,” said Pune police commissioner, Meeran Chadha Borwankar.
Cases in recent years
2008: 14
2009: 12
2010: 21
2011: 12
2012: 1 so far
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