In a heart-wrenching case that has ignited public outrage, a newborn baby girl was found abandoned inside a bag near the Veerapur Rehabilitation Centre in Bagalkote district early Saturday morning. Locals, alerted by faint cries from the bag, discovered the infant wrapped in cloth and gasping for breath.
The incident unfolded near Kaladagi police station in Bagalkote taluk. Quick-thinking residents rescued the baby and informed authorities, drawing widespread praise for their timely response. Officials from the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) soon arrived and rushed the infant to the District Government Hospital. Doctors confirmed she is stable and receiving medical attention.
Preliminary findings suggest the infant was left just hours after birth, likely due to gender bias — a grim reflection of lingering social prejudices. Authorities suspect the abandonment was driven by a preference for male children, despite ongoing government campaigns to curb such practices.
Police have registered a case and launched a full investigation. CCTV footage is being reviewed, and area hospitals have been asked to report recent births that might be linked. Meanwhile, child welfare officials are caring for the baby, who will be transferred to a shelter once medically cleared.
Child rights activists condemned the act, describing it as a “crime against humanity.” They urged stronger enforcement of laws and deeper public engagement to fight gender discrimination. The case has reignited national discourse on the urgent need to protect girl children and ensure genuine societal change.