Nursing student, lover held for death of infant

Kanyakumari: A 20-year-old nursing student and her partner were arrested for allegedly throwing their newborn, born out of wedlock, in a thorny bush near Karambavilai and leaving it to die.The accused have been identified as Rejina, 20, a resident of Potraiyadi, and her partner Mukesh, 25, hailing from Thirukurungudi in Tirunelveli district.According to police sources, the duo was reportedly in a long-term relationship. Owing to this, she got pregnant and, on Sunday, she delivered a baby girl. The couple allegedly decided to dispose of the infant to avoid social stigma.Investigations revealed that the baby was placed inside a plastic bucket and discarded in a secluded thorny bush near Karambavilai area shortly after birth.Locals who spotted the suspicious container alerted the authorities. Police rushed to the spot and sent the body to Kanyakumari govt hospital for autopsy.A case was registered by Thenthamaraikulam police. Following an investigation, police traced the infant back to Rejina and Mukesh.The duo were formally arrested on Tuesday under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanjita (BNS) for infanticide and concealment of birth. They were subsequently produced before a court in Nagercoil and remanded in judicial custody.