India: Andhra man kills 18-month-old daughter for being dark-skinned, wife reveals shocking details

A man in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh poisoned his 18-month-old daughter because of her dark skin complexion. The police have registered a case against the Karempudi man. The accused allegedly fed contaminated prasadam to the infant, causing her to die instantly.

According to media reports, the girl was found unconscious on March 31 with a nosebleed. Later, she was rushed to the Karempudi government hospital where the doctors pronounced her dead. The man, Mahesh, tried to convince his wife that their daughter, Akshaya, died due to a seizure.

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According to the wife, Shravani, Mahesh and her in-laws used to torture her due to the dark skin of the baby girl as they blamed her for her complexion. After Akshaya’s death, Mahesh even asked Shravani to lie about their daughter’s death.

The couple had got married three years ago.

According to media reports, Mahesh quickly buried the body to escape investigation. However, Shravani’s mother grew suspicious and urged the local panchayat to intervene in the matter.

Shravani later filed a complaint with the police, in which she made shocking claims.

She claimed that Mahesh had earlier tried to kill Akshaya by throwing her against a wall, locking her in a room and even drowning her in water.

Now, the Andhra Pradesh Child Rights Protection Commission has launched an investigation. The case is being investigated by CI Mallaiah, and the child’s body has been exhumed for a post-mortem.

According to police, the investigation is still going on in the matter.

(With inputs from agencies)