Kochi: A 40-year-old man allegedly slapped and threw his baby on a cot at Angamaly in Ernakulam district.
Shaiju Thomas attacked the 54-day-old baby as he was allegedly disappointed that it was a girl. Police sources say that he was also suspicious over the parentage of the child.
The baby, with grievous head injuries, has been admitted to the ICU of a private hospital at Kolenchery and continues to be in critical condition. The child had fits several times and the next 24 hours would be crucial, police said.
The baby was initially admitted to a private hospital in Angamaly, about 30 km from here, but was later referred to the other hospital, considering the serious nature of her injuries.
Doctors there grew suspicious over the man's claim that his daughter had fallen down from the cot and informed police.
The baby was attacked at their rented house at Josepuram in Angamaly during the wee hours of June 18. Shaiju snatched the baby from his wife and slapped her twice on the head. And then threw the infant on the bed, according to the cops.
Shaiju was questioned and arrested, based on a statement from his Nepali wife, with the help of a translator.
He has been charged under various sections of the IPC, including 307 (attempt to murder) and Juvenile Justice Act.
Police said the man was short tempered and an alcoholic.
Shaiju is from Kannur, while his wife is a native of Nepal. Shaiju befriended the woman on Facebook and the marriage was held in Nepal last year. They had been living on rent at various places in Angamaly for the past nine months.
