Man kills toddler daughter for 'want of son'

Sangareddy (T'gana): A two-year-old girl was murdered allegedly by her father who wanted to have a male child.

The incident which took place four days back, came to light today when the girl's mother lodged a complaint against her husband in Patancheru Police Station in Medak district in Telangana, police said.

The accused, identified as Dhanraj, had married Navneetha around five years back and had two daughters. However, ever since the birth of their second daughter, Dhanraj had been harassing his wife as he wanted a male child, C Lingeshwar, Circle Inspector of Police Patancheru, said.

Dhanraj used to beat his wife as well as the younger daughter regularly. On September 29, the accused returned home at night in an inebriated condition and beat the toddler on her neck, face and chest, following which she fell unconscious, he said.

Navneetha then took her to Sangareddy and admitted her to a government hospital, where she died the next day, police said, adding that she lodged a complaint against Dhanraj after which he was arrested.

PTI