Murder or despair. The tragic tale of a child lost to the Kali River
7 May 2024 10:25, updated: 7 May 2024 10:48
A shocking murder in India: a 26-year-old mother, after an argument with her husband, threw her disabled child into a river teeming with crocodiles. The man had repeatedly questioned the decision regarding the boy's birth. Tragically, the six-year-old died. The police have arrested the parents.
The "Los Angeles Times" reports the tragic case of 26-year-old Savitri Kumar from Uttara Kannada, a district in the western Indian state of Karnataka. She argued with the boy's 27-year-old father, Ravi Kumar, who had shockingly suggested she throw away the child.
Investigators revealed that the heartless suggestion stemmed from the man's doubts over the woman's decision to give birth to a disabled child. During a heated dispute on Saturday, an overwhelmed Savitri Kumar threw her son into a sewage canal connected to the river, known for its dense crocodile population. The Kali River, over 650 kilometres long, is a left tributary of the Ganges and winds through the looming Himalayan giants.
According to reports from the "Daily Mail" neighbours who witnessed the distressing event immediately called the police. Divers were swiftly sent to search the turbulent waters for the boy. However, their efforts were greatly limited as darkness approached.
The boy was discovered the following day
Media outlets reported that the search effort resumed at dawn. The team discovered the boy, his body bearing grotesque bite marks. Astoundingly, the child was missing a right arm, a grim indication that he had been viciously attacked by one or multiple crocodiles, as stated by the police.
The couple has another son, who is two years old and lives with a speech impairment. This condition was also a point of contention, leading to an argument between the couple. The father earns his living as a mason's assistant, and the mother works as a domestic helper.
The investigators have requested an autopsy to ascertain the precise cause of the 6-year-old's death. The case continues to develop, with local media hinting at murder charges. The parents have been detained, at present, for 14 days.
