IN a shocking incident in Kerala's Malappuram district, a 35-year-old woman died during childbirth at her home.
The incident took place on April 5, and the victim, identified as Asma, died due to excessive bleeding a few hours after childbirth at their rented home.
The police on Monday (7) arrested her husband, Sirajudheen, and booked him for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Her husband has also been booked for attempting to destroy the evidence by taking the body to his home in Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, police said.
The police reached his house in time and moved the body to a nearby taluk hospital.
A police officer said, "Prima facie it appears that the husband pushed for the childbirth at home."
The police claim some other people were also involved, and their roles are being investigated.
They will also probe whether the accused and others were encouraging others to have home childbirths.
The police officer said that Sirajudheen is a religious preacher and runs YouTube channel.
He hails from Alappuzha and moved to Malappuram in connection with his profession, he added.
Health minister concerned
State health minister Veena George had expressed concern over the incident and described it as equivalent to a "deliberate act of murder".
She said that while Kerala has the lowest maternal and infant mortality rates, but certain negative trends have emerged in society, which were deeply concerning.
The Kerala government has taken serious note of the incident and issued a warning against those encouraging such home births through social media.
The minister said, "Childbirth through unscientific methods poses a threat to the lives of both the mother and the baby. Therefore, action will be taken under the Public Health Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita."
She said statistics indicate that around 400 childbirths take place at home annually in the state.
"This year, a total of around 200,000 deliveries have occurred, of which 382 were home births," George said.
She noted that home deliveries are also observed among migrant workers and in tribal areas, and she directed officials to conduct a detailed study into the reasons behind this practice and to take remedial action.
George also stated that denying medical treatment is a punishable offence.
The minister said that awareness about the dangers of home births will be intensified with the cooperation of public representatives and socio-cultural organisations.
She said that action will be taken against those spreading false health information through social media. (PTI)
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