A harrowing incident that has deeply shaken public conscience has come to light from Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh. Driven by the fear of social stigma and public humiliation, a family committed an extreme act of cruelty in Gopi Tola under Gram Panchayat Nandgaon, falling within the jurisdiction of Waraseoni police station. Following the birth of a newborn to an unmarried young woman, her father—the child's maternal grandfather—buried the living infant inside a heap of cattle dung. Trapped beneath the waste for two full days, the newborn suffocated to death, sparking widespread outrage across the region.
Secret Pregnancy and Midnight Delivery at Home
According to village details, the unmarried woman had been in a relationship with a known local youth and had subsequently conceived. The local ASHA worker was aware of her pregnancy. However, the family attempted to keep the matter strictly confined within their household to avoid public detection. On the intervening night of July 29 and July 30, the young woman went into labor and delivered a baby boy at home. The unexpected arrival of the infant panicked the household, leaving them terrified of societal judgment and ostracization once the news spread.
Gruesome Concealment in the Dung Heap
Overwhelmed by panic, the woman's father, identified as Dharamsing Madavi, devised a sinister plot to dispose of the child. To prevent the infant from making any noise, cloth was tightly wrapped around the baby's neck and mouth. Dharamsing Madavi then wrapped the living newborn in another layer of fabric, carried him to the dung heap situated behind their house, and buried him inside a pit. The family believed the secret would remain buried forever, unaware that observant neighbors would soon uncover the truth.
Alert Neighbors and ASHA Worker Unmask the Crime
The horrifying crime began unraveling on the night of July 30 when nearby residents overheard faint cries of a baby coming from Dharamsing Madavi's home. When neighbors confronted the family the following morning, members gave evasive and suspicious responses. Doubting their intentions, villagers summoned the Anganwadi ASHA worker, who confirmed that the daughter had been pregnant for several months and had likely given birth. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the village Sarpanch and community elders convened a formal meeting on July 31.
Accused Consumes Pesticide as Authorities Exhume Body
Facing exposure during the community meeting, Dharamsing Madavi panicked and ingested agricultural pesticide in an apparent suicide attempt. He was rushed to the Waraseoni hospital for emergency care before being referred for advanced medical treatment. Meanwhile, the police were formally alerted on the night of July 31. On August 1, under the supervision of Naib Tehsildar Chandrakishore Kakodia, medical officers, and Waraseoni police personnel, the grave was excavated and the infant's body was recovered. Investigators observed cloth bound securely around the newborn's neck and mouth, confirming he had been buried alive. Waraseoni police have initiated further legal proceedings into the case.
