Daijiworld Media Network - Dharwad (SP)
Dharwad, Jan 29: Surekha Pratap Kavadi (26), who was arrested on the allegation of stealing a newborn from Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) at Hubballi, committed suicide inside the central prison here at midnight on Wednesday January 27 by hanging herself. Surekha, who reportedly bought the baby from a willing mother, was suffering from a sense of acute insult and shame, it is said.
Surekha, wife of Pratap, resident of Lakshmisingana Keri in the city, was born and brought up at Harapanahalli Davanagere district. She had visited KIMS on Monday last in the guise of a nurse. She was facing the allegation of stealing a baby born to a lady named Anita. The policemen had arrested her on the basis of CCTV footage and statements collected from her neighbours. After subjecting her to questioning, she had been lodged in the women's section of the central prison here.
After inquest, the body was shifted to hospital. The policemen said that it was a case of suicide, as the body of the woman does not bear any injury marks as per preliminary report. Surekha's body was handed over to relatives after postmortem. Surekha's relatives including husband and mother-in-law wailed loudly at her death.
Surekha's husband, Pratap, said that his wife had decided to buy a child from willing mothers, as her two pregnancies had to be aborted. "Anita offered her newborn to my wife for Rs 500. Although my wife was not a thief, she was accused of being one. Because of this insult, she ended her life. Anita has now taken a different stand. A detailed investigation will reveal the truth," he added. He wanted the police to subject Anita's mother also to interrogation.
Additional director general of police, H N Satyanarayana Rao, who visited the prison on Thursday and held discussions with inmates and staff, obtained information from prison superintendent. He said that an investigation by judge will be held on the issue of suicide inside jail.