In a shocking incident in Jharkhand’s Palamu district, the severed head of a newborn baby was discovered near a cremation ground on Thursday evening, prompting a police investigation. Authorities suspect the head belonged to a baby aged approximately three to four days, though the rest of the body has not yet been recovered. The gruesome find occurred near the Tedhwa Bridge within the jurisdiction of Medininagar Town police station, according to local police officials.

The matter came to light when police personnel were alerted to the presence of the severed head at the cremation ground. Officers immediately took custody of the head and launched a probe to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. At present, the baby’s torso remains missing, and police are actively working to locate it.

Investigation under way

Jyotilal Rajwar, the officer in charge of the Medininagar Town police station, confirmed that investigations are ongoing on multiple fronts. “The police are investigating the matter, and efforts are underway to recover the torso,” he said. Authorities are scrutinizing hospital records in the area to identify how many babies were born in the last three to four days and their current status, in a bid to trace the newborn’s family or source.

While there has been speculation regarding the nature of the crime, including whether it involved ritualistic or sacrificial elements, Rajwar clarified that no evidence of such activity has been found so far. “Investigations are going on several fronts, although no evidence related to baby sacrifice has been discovered as of now,” he said.

Once the torso is recovered, a postmortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of death, and to determine whether any foul play was involved. Following the recovery of the remaining body parts, police intend to register a formal FIR and take further legal action.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising serious concerns about child safety and welfare. Police have urged residents to report any suspicious activity or information that could assist in the investigation.

Authorities are also reviewing any CCTV footage from the area around the cremation ground and nearby localities to identify potential suspects or witnesses. Community members have been requested to cooperate with the police by providing details of anyone seen near the site during the past few days.

The Palamu case comes amid increasing attention nationwide on the safety of newborns and abandoned infants. Police officials emphasized that a thorough investigation will be conducted to bring the perpetrators to justice and to prevent such incidents in the future.

Further updates are expected once the torso is recovered and forensic examinations are completed. The authorities have reiterated that the matter is being treated with the highest priority due to the sensitivity and severity of the incident.

This distressing case has highlighted the urgent need for vigilance regarding newborn welfare, hospital protocols, and community awareness in Jharkhand and similar regions. As the probe progresses, the police are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the case is resolved and those responsible are held accountable.