A 20-year-old woman has been booked by the Medical College police after a six-month-old foetus was allegedly flushed down a toilet at the Sree Avittom Thirunal (SAT) Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram late Sunday. The incident is under investigation, and authorities are awaiting the findings of a medico-legal examination to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the case.
Incident Reported at SAT Hospital
According to the investigation, the woman, a native of Thiruvallam, was around six months pregnant when she arrived at the hospital after allegedly consuming abortion pills. On reaching the hospital, she reportedly sought a medical termination of pregnancy.
Soon afterwards, she allegedly developed excessive bleeding and sought medical attention. During the initial examination, doctors suspected that she was pregnant. Police said subsequent inquiries revealed that the woman was unmarried.
Police Investigation Underway
Investigators alleged that the woman later entered a restroom in the hospital, where she delivered the foetus. She then reportedly placed the foetus in the toilet and flushed it.
The incident came to light after hospital staff noticed blood stains on the woman’s clothes when she emerged from the restroom. When questioned, she allegedly informed them that the child had been aborted. The hospital authorities subsequently alerted the police, who initiated an investigation.
Medico-Legal Examination Ordered
Fire and Rescue Services personnel dismantled the toilet system and opened the septic tank to recover the foetus. The recovered remains have been sent for a medico-legal examination.
Officials said the examination will determine the exact cause of death and establish whether the foetus was born alive or was stillborn. The findings will play a key role in determining the course of further legal proceedings.
Further Legal Action to Depend on Investigation
Police also suspect that three men who had allegedly accompanied the woman to the hospital left the premises after the incident came to light.
Authorities said further legal action will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation and the medico-legal report.
Important Highlights
- A 20-year-old woman has been booked after a six-month-old foetus was allegedly flushed down a toilet at SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Police alleged the woman had consumed abortion pills before arriving at the hospital.
- Fire and Rescue Services recovered the foetus after dismantling the toilet system and opening the septic tank.
- A medico-legal examination will determine the cause of death and whether the foetus was born alive or stillborn.
- Police are also investigating the role of three men who allegedly accompanied the woman and later left the hospital.
