Dark Mirror of India's Gender Crisis: 22-Year-Old Woman Arrested For Killing Newborn Daughter Within 45 Minutes Of Birth In Ghaziabad, Citing Son Preference
December 5-8, 2025 | Female Infanticide Case | Gender Discrimination | Social Crime & Justice
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By Social Issues & Gender Justice Correspondent
Criminology, Women's Rights & Social Policy Analyst
Focus: Gender discrimination, infanticide laws, social justice, UPSC current affairs, exam preparation
In a chilling reminder of India's persistent gender bias, a 22-year-old woman from West Bengal was arrested in Ghaziabad on December 6, 2025, for allegedly killing her newborn daughter within 45 minutes of birth, throwing her from a terrace onto a neighbour's roof. The case exposes deep-rooted son preference, economic desperation, and the failure of social safety nets[web:138][web:141][web:147].
In the early hours of December 5, 2025, Jharna (age 22), a West Bengal resident staying at her sister's house in Ghaziabad's Nehru Nagar, delivered a baby girl at home without medical assistance. Within less than an hour of the birth, she allegedly threw the newborn from a second-floor terrace, intending to discard the body in a vacant plot below. Instead, the infant fell onto a neighbour's first-floor terrace, where resident Vinay Rawat discovered the lifeless body wrapped in polythene at approximately 6:30 AM[web:138][web:141][web:147].
Jharna's initial claim to police—that the baby was stillborn—collapsed when the postmortem report revealed that the infant died from fatal injuries sustained immediately after birth: fractured skull, broken arm and leg bones, indicating intentional violence. During interrogation, Jharna confessed that she had "did not want a daughter" and that she had already consumed abortion-inducing medication during pregnancy (which the infant survived). The case has been registered under Section 91 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – infanticide/death immediately after birth, carrying severe criminal penalties[web:138][web:141][web:144].
Jharna's initial claim to police—that the baby was stillborn—collapsed when the postmortem report revealed that the infant died from fatal injuries sustained immediately after birth: fractured skull, broken arm and leg bones, indicating intentional violence. During interrogation, Jharna confessed that she had "did not want a daughter" and that she had already consumed abortion-inducing medication during pregnancy (which the infant survived). The case has been registered under Section 91 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – infanticide/death immediately after birth, carrying severe criminal penalties[web:138][web:141][web:144].
The Case Details: Timeline & Police Investigation
📋 Chronology of Events: December 5-6, 2025
- November 14, 2025: Jharna arrives at her sister's home in Ghaziabad from West Bengal, claiming health deterioration; her husband agrees to let her stay temporarily[web:147].
- December 5, Early Morning (Midnight-5 AM): Jharna goes into labour in her sister's house; gives birth at home without medical supervision; newborn girl born alive and healthy[web:138][web:144].
- December 5, ~6 AM (Within 45 minutes of birth): Jharna allegedly throws the newborn from the second-floor terrace, aiming for a vacant plot behind the house; baby falls onto neighbour's first-floor roof instead[web:138][web:141].
- December 5, 6:30 AM: Neighbour Vinay Rawat discovers the body of the newborn wrapped in polythene behind his water tank; alerts police immediately[web:138][web:138].
- December 5, 6:30 PM (Evening): Postmortem report contradicts Jharna's stillbirth claim; doctor confirms fatal injuries—fractured skull, broken bones—inflicted at birth[web:138][web:141].
- December 6, Morning: Jharna arrested on charges of infanticide; confesses during police interrogation that she did not want a daughter[web:141][web:144].
- Status (Dec 8): FIR registered under BNS Section 91; sister's statement recorded; husband being traced in Darbhanga, Bihar; DNA test pending[web:138][web:147].
👮 Police Investigation: Key Findings
- Medical Evidence: Post-mortem confirms baby was alive at birth; death caused by traumatic head injuries consistent with violent impact (falling 20 feet from second-floor terrace)[web:138][web:141].
- Jharna's Confession: She initially claimed stillbirth and accidental disposal; later admitted she deliberately threw the living infant because "she didn't want a daughter"[web:138][web:147].
- Prior Medical Intervention: Jharna had consumed abort-inducing medication during pregnancy, indicating premeditated rejection of the female child[web:138].
- Sister's Complicity: Sister present during birth; may face charges as accomplice (aiding/abetting infanticide); her statement being recorded[web:138][web:141].
- Economic Motive (Stated): Jharna claimed being "too poor to afford hospital delivery" and childcare; poverty cited as reason for home birth, though criminal intent evident[web:138][web:141].
- Husband's Role: Husband residing in Darbhanga; police attempting contact; unclear if he knew of pregnancy rejection or infanticide plan[web:138][web:147].
⚖️ Legal Framework: Charges & Penalties
- Charge: Section 91, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – "Causing death immediately after birth"[web:138][web:144].
- Alternative Charges Possible: Section 302 (murder), Section 509 (outraging modesty/gender-based violence), Section 305 (culpable homicide), depending on investigation findings[web:144].
- Penalty (Section 91): Life imprisonment or rigorous imprisonment up to 7 years with fine; may also face murder charges (life imprisonment or death penalty) if prosecutor proves premeditation[web:138][web:141].
- Sister/Accomplice Charges: Sister may face charges under Section 114 BNS (aiding/abetting) if she helped in infanticide; similar penalties applicable[web:138].
The Broader Crisis: Female Infanticide & Son Preference in India
📊 India's Gender Crisis: The Numbers
- Sex Ratio Crisis: India's sex ratio is 943 women per 1,000 men (2021 census), one of the world's worst; global average is ~990 women per 1,000 men[web:140][web:146].
- Missing Women: Approximately 50+ million "missing women" in India due to female feticide, infanticide, and neglect; some regions report ratios as low as 800:1000[web:143][web:146].
- Female Feticide: An estimated 2,000+ female fetuses aborted daily in India after sex-determination tests, despite PNDT Act 1994 banning the practice[web:140][web:146].
- Female Infanticide: Formal statistics unavailable (many cases go unreported), but estimates suggest thousands of newborn girls killed annually[web:143][web:146].
- Regional Variation: Crisis concentrated in Northern India (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan) and Western India (Gujarat); lower ratios in southern states[web:140][web:143].
🔍 Root Causes: Patriarchy, Dowry & Economic Desperation
- Patriarchal Mindset: Male-dominated society prioritizing sons over daughters; girls perceived as liabilities; cultural preference for male heirs and family names[web:140][web:143][web:146].
- Dowry System: Mandatory dowry payments for daughters' marriages (despite legal prohibition); dowry demands increasing with inflation; families see daughters as financial burden[web:143][web:146].
- Inheritance & Property: Patrilineal inheritance laws historically favored male heirs; daughters had limited property rights (though reformed by law); sons seen as "wealth carrier"[web:140][web:143].
- Economic Desperation: Poverty and unemployment intensify gender bias; poor families more likely to commit infanticide to reduce family size; case of Jharna reflects this dynamic[web:138][web:146].
- Healthcare Access: Lack of maternal healthcare, family planning resources, adoption support in rural/poor communities; births often unattended and undocumented[web:138][web:141].
- Educational Gaps: Low education & awareness among women about reproductive rights, legal protection, support services[web:140][web:143].
⚠️ Cascading Social Effects of Skewed Sex Ratio
- Marriage Market Distortion: Shortage of women creates saturation in "groom market"; young men unable to find wives; rising rates of inter-state/inter-community marriages[web:146].
- Women Trafficking: Human trafficking networks flourishing to supply women to deficit regions; forced marriages, sexual exploitation of trafficked women increasing[web:143][web:146].
- Violence Against Women: Male frustration & sexual deprivation contributing to rising rape, domestic violence, and crimes against women; post-2013 rape law has not curbed violence adequately[web:143][web:146].
- Child Marriage: Scarcity of girls in some regions driving early marriage of children (girls married off younger); worsening health outcomes for child brides[web:143][web:146].
- Social Destabilization: Skewed sex ratio undermining social cohesion, family structures, and long-term demographic sustainability[web:143][web:146].
Legal Framework: Laws Against Infanticide & Sex Discrimination
Key Laws & Sections (for exam preparation)
| Law/Section | Provision & Penalty | Application to Case |
|---|---|---|
| BNS Section 91 Infanticide |
Causing death of child within one year of birth with knowledge that death is probable; Punishment: Life imprisonment or up to 7 years rigorous imprisonment with fine[web:144]. | PRIMARY CHARGE against Jharna; applies to killing newborn within hours of birth[web:138][web:144]. |
| BNS Section 302 Murder |
Culpable homicide amounting to murder; Punishment: Death penalty or life imprisonment with fine[web:144]. | ALTERNATIVE CHARGE if premeditation proven (e.g., attempting to induce abortion, intentional violence); likely in Jharna's case[web::138][web:144]. |
| PNDT Act 1994 Pre-Natal Diagnostic |
Prohibits sex determination tests and sex-selective abortion; Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment for medical professionals; up to 3-year ban for doctors[web:140]. | Not directly applicable here (infanticide vs feticide), but reflects India's legal commitment to combating gender-based killings[web:140][web:143]. |
| Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 |
Aiding & Abetting Punishment for complicity in crime; Same punishment as primary offence (life imprisonment or 7 years for infanticide accomplice)[web:144]. APPLICABLE TO SISTER who was present, may be charged with aiding/abetting infanticide[web:138][web:141]. Right to Equality
(Articles 14-15, Constitution) Equal protection before law; prohibition of discrimination on basis of sex; state duty to prevent gender-based violence[web:143]. Constitutional framework; court judgments note state's duty to prevent female infanticide/feticide[web:140][web:143].
Judicial Approach & Court Orders
- Supreme Court Stance: Supreme Court has declared female feticide and infanticide as violations of Article 21 (Right to Life); termed them "crime against humanity"[web:140][web:143].
- Allahabad High Court: Expressed concern about sex ratios and held that girls should not be seen as "burden"; called for stricter enforcement of laws and social intervention[web:143].
- Sentencing Precedent: Courts typically award stringent sentences for infanticide cases (~7-10 years imprisonment); some cases result in life imprisonment[web:143][web:144].
- Victim Compensation: Victim Compensation Fund available to families of crime victims; though limited in infanticide cases given victim already deceased[web:144].
Gender Justice & Social Intervention: What Needs to Change?
Policy & Social Reforms Needed
- Enforcement of Existing Laws: Stricter implementation of PNDT Act, Dowry Prohibition, infanticide laws; increase police training and awareness; fast-track prosecution[web:140][web:143].
- Universal Healthcare & Family Planning: Free maternal healthcare, institutional delivery support; accessible contraception and family planning services reducing desperation-driven infanticide[web:140][web:143].
- Social Safety Nets: Financial assistance for mothers, single mothers; adoption support systems; child welfare schemes reducing economic pressure to abandon children[web:143][web:146].
- Education & Awareness: Campaigns challenging patriarchal mindset; education for girls proving their economic and social value; reducing son-preference indoctrination[web:140][web:143].
- Dowry Reform: Aggressive enforcement of Dowry Prohibition Act; cultural shift away from dowry practice; women's financial independence through education & employment[web:143][web:146].
- Monitoring & Reporting: Mandatory reporting of all births/deaths by healthcare workers; AI-based data analysis to flag suspicious patterns; anonymous reporting mechanisms[web:140][web:143].
- Mental Health Support: Counseling for mothers experiencing desperation, depression post-partum; suicide/infanticide prevention programs targeting high-risk groups[web:143][web:146].
UPSC & Competitive Exams: Key Questions & Topics
UPSC Prelims (Expected Questions)
- Which state reported the case of infanticide where a mother threw her newborn from a terrace in December 2025? (A) Uttar Pradesh (B) West Bengal (C) Punjab (D) Haryana
- What is India's current sex ratio (approximate)? (A) 950 women per 1000 men (B) 943 women per 1000 men (C) 900 women per 1000 men (D) 880 women per 1000 men
- Which Act prohibits sex determination and sex-selective abortion in India? (A) Domestic Violence Act 2005 (B) PNDT Act 1994 (C) Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 (D) Protection of Women Act 2012
- Female feticide and infanticide have been declared as violations of which Constitutional article by SC? (A) Article 15 (B) Article 19 (C) Article 21 (D) Article 23
UPSC Mains (Practice Topics)
- "Examine the socio-economic and cultural factors contributing to female infanticide in India. What role should the state play in combating this crime?" (20 marks)
- "Discuss the implications of India's skewed sex ratio on long-term demographic stability, social order, and women's security." (15 marks)
- "Critically evaluate the effectiveness of PNDT Act 1994 in preventing female feticide. What reforms are needed?" (15 marks)
- "How can India's legal and policy framework balance the right to reproductive autonomy with the state's duty to protect gender equality?" (15 marks)
GS Paper Coverage
- GS Paper I: Gender issues, women in Indian society, social structure, demographic patterns[web:140][web:143].
- GS Paper II: Laws against infanticide/feticide, government welfare schemes, women's safety, justice delivery[web:144].
- GS Paper III: Economic factors driving infanticide, poverty, social development indices[web:143][web:146].
📝 Key Takeaways for Exam Preparation:
- ✓ Ghaziabad infanticide case (Dec 5-6, 2025): 22-year-old Jharna arrested for killing newborn daughter within 45 minutes
- ✓ Charged under BNS Section 91 (infanticide); possible murder charges; sister may face accomplice charges
- ✓ India's sex ratio crisis: 943 women per 1000 men; 50+ million "missing women" due to feticide/infanticide
- ✓ Root causes: Patriarchy, dowry system, economic desperation, poor maternal healthcare access
- ✓ PNDT Act 1994 bans sex determination; infanticide illegal under BNS Sections 91, 302; Constitution Article 21 protects right to life
- ✓ Judicial stance: SC declared female infanticide "crime against humanity"; courts award stringent sentences
- ✓ Solutions: Law enforcement, universal healthcare, economic support, dowry reform, social awareness campaigns
Why This Case Matters: India's Struggle With Gender Justice
- ✓ Systemic Gender Bias: Case exposes deep-rooted preference for sons; son-preference remains ingrained despite economic development[web:140][web:143].
- ✓ Poverty & Gender Intersectionality: Economic desperation combines with gender discrimination; poor women bear disproportionate burden[web:138][web:146].
- ✓ Healthcare Access Failure: Lack of institutional maternal care forcing risky home deliveries; unregistered births enable unreported infanticide[web:138][web:141].
- ✓ Legal Framework Inadequacy: Despite strong laws, enforcement remains weak; perpetrators often escape prosecution[web:140][web:143].
- ✓ Demographic Emergency: Sex ratio imbalance creating social instability; rising violence against women due to bride scarcity[web:143][web:146].
- ✓ Human Rights Violation: Infanticide represents fundamental violation of child's right to life, dignity, and justice; demands urgent societal response[web:138][web:143].
- ✓ Exam Relevance: Critical social issue for UPSC GS Papers I, II, III; demonstrates governance challenges in gender justice implementation
— End of Report —
Sources:
- Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Live Hindustan, Jagran.com, News24Online, Moneycontrol[web:138][web:139][web:141][web:144][web:145].
- PMC/NCBI research on female feticide (2017); IGG-Geo research on infanticide; International journals on gender discrimination[web:140][web:143][web:146].
- Ghaziabad Police (Sihani Gate Thana) official statements and FIR details[web:138][web:141].
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023; Constitution of India; PNDT Act 1994; Dowry Prohibition Act 1961[web:144].
- December 5-8, 2025
