Unfortunate that people still prefer male child: Bombay High Court in female infanticide case

The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court recently rejected the bail application of a man accused in the murder of his one-month-old granddaughter [Gopinath Janku Pradhan v. State of Maharashtra].

The accused, Gopinath Janku Pradhan, allegedly conspired with his family members to kill the infant because she was the second female child born to his son.

Justice MM Nerlikar expressed deep dismay over persistent gender bias. 

“It is deeply unfortunate that, even after 80 years of independence, people in our country still prefer a male child. This is a classic example of the murder of a girl child, because she was the second daughter and the family does not want a second daughter,” the judge observed.

The case arose from Gadchiroli district. According to the prosecution, the newborn drowned in a tub. A heavy brick was placed on her back to prevent her from moving. Following the drowning, the family attempted to cover up the crime. 

They staged a scene, claiming an animal had entered through an open door at midnight and carried the child away. The family then attempted a rushed cremation.

An alert local Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker grew suspicious and warned the family that the death was a police case.

When the family refused to report it, she notified law enforcement directly. The authorities subsequently exhumed the child's body. The post-mortem report confirmed the cause of death was due to drowning.

The defense counsel argued that no direct evidence linked Pradhan to the murder and sought parity with the child’s mother who was granted bail. 

Justice Nerlikar rejected the plea after noting that the incident took place inside Pradhan’s house. This meant’ the family had specific knowledge of the crime, the judge said.

"Considering the conduct and the mode and manner of the crime, I am not inclined to enlarge the applicant on bail,” the High Court ruled. 

Advocate UE Quazi appeared for the Pradhan.

Additional public prosecutor UR Phasate appeared for state.