Man held for killing infant daughter over crying fit

By Sumesh Rajan | June 4, 2025

 

Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, INDIA:  A 40-year-old man has been arrested in the western Indian state of Maharashtra’s Raigad district for allegedly killing his one-year-old daughter in a violent outburst after becoming irritated by her persistent crying, police confirmed on June 3.

 

The incident occurred on June 1 at approximately 5 pm in Devmal village, an adivasi hamlet in Pen Taluka, of Raigad district. The child, identified as Vijaya, also known as "Baby", was reportedly unwell and crying continuously when the accused father, Suresh Dore, allegedly slammed her head against the floor. She died at the scene.

 

According to Wadkhal Police Station Inspector Prasad Pandhare, Dore attempted to flee but was apprehended the same night. “He had no mobile phone and works as a daily wage labourer, which would have made tracing him difficult if he had escaped,” the officer said.

 

Dore was reportedly living with four children from his three marriages at the time of the incident. His third wife, Vijaya’s mother, had left him approximately six weeks earlier due to alleged repeated domestic abuse, leaving the children in his care.

 

“All three of his wives had left him citing domestic violence,” Inspector Pandhare added. The children, ranging in age from one to five, were present during the incident. After witnessing the violence, the older siblings reportedly ran to inform a relative, who then alerted the police.

 

The suspect has been charged under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.