Newborn baby’s body found at Doon Medical College; probe ordered

In a bizarre case, the body of a newborn boy was found in the washroom of the labour room in the obstetrics and gynaecology wing of Doon medical college hospital on Thursday morning. More than 24 hours have elapsed but there has been no clue about who dumped the body or about the infant’s parents. What is more surprising is that the hospital administration has not filed any formal police complaint but only gave out a written information. When questioned about the matter, hospital officials said that the newborn was “not born in the hospital but brought by someone from outside and thrown in the hospital’s washroom.”

The police at the nearby outpost were informed about the incident four hours after the body was found. A case against unknown parents was filed at Paltan Bazar Kotwali under section 317 (exposure and abandonment of child under twelve years, by parent or person having care of it). Prima facie, staff of the hospital could have aided the crime, said police sources.

The hospital authorities have also set up an internal committee to investigate the matter. Chief medical officer Dr Meenakshi Joshi said, “An internal committee is investigating the matter. Lack of proper infrastructure, adequate security and manpower are issues of concern at the women’s wing of the hospital.”