Kochi: In a shocking incident, an infant was drowned in a bucket by the paramour of her grandmother at a hotel in Kaloor in Kerala's Kochi, the police said on Wednesday.

 

The Ernakulam North Police on Wednesday arrested the suspect, John Binoy Dcruz of Palluruthy in Kochi. The deceased is one-year-and-eight-months-old Norah Maria, the daughter of Sajeev, a native of Kodissery in Angamaly, and Diksi.

 

Benoy, 28, had checked into a lodge at Kaloor along with Sipsi, the mother of Sajeev, and two kids -- Norah Maria and her four-year-old brother -- on Saturday. According to the police, Benoy drowned the girl in a bucket full of water by holding her upside down at 2 am on Tuesday Sipsi was not in the room at that time. She had left the room around 10 pm Police said Benoy killed the girl in an act of revenge as Sipsi had earlier filed some complaints against him as he wanted to end his relationship with her. Sipsi had also alleged that the baby was born to her from Benoy, causing him embarrassment in front of his family. He had also held a grudge against Sipsi for leading an immoral life, the police said.

 

Hotel employees said Benoy and Sipsi checked in after introducing themselves as a couple.

 

Hotel employees said Benoy and Sipsi checked in after introducing themselves as a couple.

 

A hotel official said the woman came running with the baby girl on her shoulder and soon Binoy also came with the four-year-old boy.

 

"She said the baby was sick and has vomited and needs medical attention. We told them to take her to the nearby hospital. On Tuesday morning the police came and conducted an inspection and it was then that we were told about what really happened. Today also the police and the forensic experts were there in the room," said the hotel official.

 

The incident came to light after Sipsi and Benoy took the baby to a nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead. The doctors suspected foul play and informed the police.

 

“The woman had told the doctors that the baby had choked on milk. However, they became suspicious and informed the Ernakulam North police. The police searched the room, questioned the woman and the youth, and let them off for the time being. Possibility of murder was suggested in the baby's postmortem report as the water was found in the girl's lungs. On Tuesday, Benoy confessed the crime to his mother and she informed the Palluruthy police about it. The Palluruthy police took him into custody and handed him over to the North station,” Kochi police commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam said. Benoy, an adopted son, had been estranged from his foster parents following a dispute over his relations with 50-year-old Sipsi.

 

He said prima facie there was no evidence to arrest Sipsi. However, she is likely to be questioned in detail.

 

The body of the baby was handed over to her mother's family at Karukutty after conducting a postmortem at Kalamassery Medical College Hospital. The funeral was held at st Francis' Noronha Church, Karukutty at 5.30 pm on Wednesday.

 

The girl's mother Diksi, who was working in Dubai, came home on Tuesday. She alleged that her husband Sajeev was also involved in the murder. Meanwhile, her relatives vandalised the car of Sajeev as he arrived at her house on Wednesday evening.