‘She was avoiding me’: Man’s drunken threat uncovers infant deaths in Kerala; woman confesses to murder

Pudukkad: A shocking case involving the secret burial of two newborns has come to light following the breakdown of a relationship between an unmarried young man and woman. The incident has led to the arrest and questioning of both individuals.

The birth of two children

Bhavin and Anisha reportedly became acquainted via Facebook in 2020. The first child was born on 6 November 2021, in the bathroom of Anisha’s home. Initially, Anisha told police that the male baby had died due to the umbilical cord wrapping around its neck, and that she had secretly buried the body in the compound of her house.

Eight months later, Bhavin took possession of the child’s bones, allegedly claiming he intended to perform religious rituals and immerse them in the sea. However, police suspect he kept the remains as leverage, in case their relationship ended.

A second male child was born on 29 April 2024, again at Anisha’s residence. Anisha informed Bhavin that this baby had also died. The body was transported on a scooter to Bhavin’s house in Amballur, where it was buried. Anisha later confessed to police that she had suffocated the baby by covering the face immediately after birth, to prevent the baby from crying.

Why Bhavin approached police with the bones?

Anisha, a laboratory technician by profession, had reportedly distanced herself from Bhavin in recent months. Police say Bhavin had been frequently threatening her over the phone and in person, suspecting she was preparing for another marriage. On the night of the incident, Bhavin was reportedly provoked after Anisha failed to answer his call. In an inebriated state, he took the infant’s bones, placed it in a bag, and arrived at Pudukkad police station.

Forensic confirmation

Both individuals were interrogated under the supervision of Thrissur Rural SP B Krishnakumar and Chalakkudy DySP Bijukumar. Forensic experts were called in following their statements, and confirmed that the bones belonged to two newborns. Although both Bhavin and Anisha admitted the children were theirs, the bones have been sent for DNA testing.

The investigation is ongoing, with police probing whether others were aware of the relationship or pregnancies, including family members. The case is being handled by a team led by DySP Bijukumar and CI Mahendrasimhan.

Bhavin’s suspicions and threats

According to police, Bhavin became increasingly suspicious after the second child’s death. Although both were aware of the burials, Bhavin allegedly believed Anisha had deliberately killed the baby to end their relationship. Tensions escalated further when he suspected she was planning to marry someone else. He reportedly tried to control her phone use and found she was using a new number from January.

Anisha told police that she intentionally distanced herself due to Bhavin’s behaviour. Investigators believe Bhavin kept the baby’s remains as "evidence" of their relationship, possibly to pressure her or gain her family’s approval for marriage. He had recently adopted a more apologetic tone in conversations, but another argument occurred on Saturday evening. According to police, Bhavin threatened her, saying: “Don’t live by avoiding me,” and claimed he would go to police.

Media frenzy outside Pudukkad station

The story came to light on Sunday morning around 11 am. Initial details were limited, but news spread quickly and media crews gathered outside Pudukkad police station. Television cameras waited outside while the two were questioned inside. Rumours circulated rapidly, and reporters scrambled to capture footage as the accused were moved between rooms.

Both Bhavin and Anisha had their faces covered and were escorted by officers. The full extent of the incident became public following a press briefing by the SP.

Recovering evidence

On Sunday afternoon, police took both accused to their respective homes for evidence collection. Anisha was taken to her house in Nooluvalli, Vellikkulangara, where she led officers to the site where the first child was buried. A large crowd gathered upon hearing her arrival. Bhavin was taken to his home in Amballur, where he described how Anisha brought the second baby’s body and where it was buried--in the garden behind his house.

Both suspects are expected to be produced in court on Monday.

Family response

Speaking to the media, Anisha’s mother said she was unaware of whether her daughter had killed the baby. She confirmed knowing about the relationship but believed Anisha had ended it, partly because the family disapproved.