An accused in an alleged illegal abortion and foeticide case surrendered before police in Khowai on Tuesday after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the court. The accused has been identified as Anukul Pal.
According to police officials, Pal allegedly forced his widowed partner to terminate her pregnancy, which reportedly resulted from an illicit relationship. The incident took place in North Ramchandraghat. The woman was said to be around seven months pregnant at the time the abortion was carried out.
As per the complaint, the woman, fearing social stigma, approached the Chebri Primary Health Centre for medical assistance. It has been alleged that the child was delivered prematurely with the involvement of medical professionals. Subsequently, the newborn was allegedly killed and buried in a forested area in North Ramchandraghat.
The matter surfaced after it attracted media attention, prompting authorities to initiate a formal investigation. During the course of the probe, police recovered the body of the newborn and registered a case against the accused.
Soon after the allegations came to light, Pal reportedly fled his village. Another accused in the case, identified as Sumitra Rudra Pal, was arrested earlier and remains in judicial custody.
In an attempt to avoid arrest, Pal had moved an anticipatory bail application before the court, which was rejected. Following the dismissal of his plea, he surrendered at the women’s police station in Khowai on Tuesday.
He was later produced before the court, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. Police confirmed that he is scheduled to be produced again before the court on March 2.
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and further investigation is ongoing. Allegations have also emerged regarding the possible involvement of two doctors from the Chebri Primary Health Centre.
