The Delhi Police on Thursday registered a case after the body of a newborn was recovered from the lavatory of an AirAsia flight coming from Guwahati on Wednesday, said a senior police officer. A post-mortem was conducted on the baby to determine its gestational age, reported PTI.
Cabin crew discovered the body of the newborn, wrapped in toilet paper, when they were preparing the flight for landing in Delhi. In a statement, the airline said that it was found lifeless and abandoned.
A 19-year-old taekwondo player upon questioning admitted that she had lost the foetus. She was sent for medical examination but refused it.
The case was registered under Section 318 of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body, and is punishable with a two years in jail and a fine. An unidentified police officer told PTI that the case was not registered against the player who was supposed to travel to South Korea on Friday.
The airline said that it informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the country’s aviation authority, reported Reuters. “We will be assisting in the investigation and cooperating with all concerned agencies,” it said.
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