In a tragic incident in Maharashtra’s Parbhani district, a 19-year-old woman gave birth on a sleeper coach bus and, along with a man claiming to be her husband, allegedly threw the newborn out of the vehicle, leading to the infant’s death, police said.
The incident took place around 6:30 am on Tuesday along the Pathri-Selu Road. A passerby noticed a cloth-wrapped bundle being thrown from the bus and immediately alerted authorities.
The woman, identified as Ritika Dhere, was traveling from Pune to Parbhani with Altaf Shaikh aboard a Sant Prayag Travels sleeper coach. During the journey, Dhere went into labor and delivered a baby boy. According to police accounts, the couple then wrapped the child in cloth and threw him out of the window.
The bus driver, who witnessed something being discarded, questioned Shaikh. He reportedly claimed his wife had vomited. Meanwhile, the vigilant bystander who checked the bundle discovered the baby and called police on the 112 emergency helpline.
Police intercepted the bus shortly afterward and detained the couple. During questioning, they allegedly confessed that they could not care for the child and decided to abandon him. The newborn succumbed to injuries from the fall.
Both accused are originally from Parbhani but had been residing in Pune. Although they claimed to be married, they could not produce any supporting documents.
A case was filed under Sections 94(3) and 94(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Dhere has been hospitalized for medical care, and further investigation is underway.