Teen held after dead baby found on passenger plane
Indian woman tells police she wasn’t aware of pregnancy after AirAsia crew discover abandoned foetus in aircraft’s toilet
A 19-year-old Indian woman who gave birth in the lavatory of an AirAsia airliner has told police that she didn’t know she was pregnant.
According to a statement by the airline, police in Delhi were called on Thursday after a lifeless foetus was found abandoned in one of the lavatories wrapped in toilet paper when the aircraft was being prepared for landing. The plane had just arrived in the Indian capital from the city of Imphal in the northeast of the country.
“The police were alerted and a doctor from the medical team at the Delhi International Airport confirmed that the baby had been delivered onboard,” the airline said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The teenager, a taekwondo competitor on her way to a tournament in South Korea with her coach, said that neither she nor her family were aware of the pregnancy. She claimed that “antacids and painkillers” she had taken the previous day had caused the stillbirth.
“She told police that she felt continuous pain a day before boarding her flight and so consumed painkillers and antacids, which led to excessive bleeding,” deputy commissioner of Delhi Police Sanjay Bhatia said.
“The woman refused to undergo a medical examination. We are consulting doctors if the medicines she consumed can cause any complications. The foetus has been sent for post mortem and reports that would confirm the cause of death are awaited,” he added.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times, a senior gynaecologist said that a painkiller or antacid “cannot cause an abortion” in the manner the woman claims.
“Concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body” is a punishable offence in India, NDTV says, with a maximum term of two years and a fine.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine solutions - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Pope aide under fire for 'mystical orgasms' book
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Thieves who stole shopping bag in for big disappointment
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Woman has one in 50 million pregnancy
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published