Amravati News : A 10-day-old baby was given 39 lashes with a hot whip in Amravati

In a horrifying incident that highlights the dangerous grip of superstition in rural Maharashtra, a 10-day-old infant was subjected to 39 burns with a hot sickle in the name of traditional healing. The incident occurred in Dahendri village of Chikhaldara taluka, Amravati district, and has sparked widespread outrage across the region. According to the police, the baby’s mother, Richmu Dhondu Selukar (25), gave birth to a girl on June 15. The child was reportedly in good health until she developed a cold and flatulence after ten days. A local nurse examined the baby and prescribed appropriate medication.

However, on June 25, an elderly woman from the village suggested that the baby should be given a "damba"—a supposed traditional remedy involving burns—to relieve the symptoms. Acting on this advice, the woman inflicted 39 strokes of a heated sickle onto the baby's abdomen. When the nurse visited the family again on July 4 and noticed the serious injuries on the infant’s stomach, she immediately arranged to transfer the child to the Primary Health Center. The baby was then referred to the Women’s Hospital in Achalpur for further treatment.

Under the care of pediatrician Dr. Deepak Agarwal and medical superintendent Dr. Vijay Shirsamkar, the infant’s condition stabilized, and she was discharged on July 5. Following a complaint by the child's mother, Chikhaldara Police launched an investigation. A case has been registered against the elderly woman under charges related to child cruelty, causing physical harm, and promoting superstition. Superintendent of Police Vishal Anand confirmed that legal action is underway.

This disturbing case is not isolated. Merely four months ago, a 22-day-old baby in Thimori village, also in Chikhaldara taluka, was subjected to similar inhumane treatment. The persistence of such superstitions in rural areas—especially the belief that scalding infants with hot objects cures ailments like colic and body aches—continues to endanger young lives. The incident has prompted demands for immediate and strict action against those promoting and practicing such dangerous traditions. Public health officials and citizens alike have emphasized the urgent need for awareness campaigns to combat superstition and protect the rights and health of children in rural Maharashtra.