AMRAVATI, July 7 — A 10-day-old baby girl in Maharashtra’s Amravati district was allegedly branded with a hot iron rod by a woman relative in a misguided attempt to treat abdominal bloating, police said on Sunday. The infant, who was born on June 15, is now stable and recovering after undergoing treatment at a district hospital.
The disturbing incident took place in Dahendri village, located in the tribal-dominated Melghat region of Chikhaldara taluka, where certain superstitious healing practices, including “damma”—a traditional branding ritual—are still prevalent.
According to police, the child’s health began to deteriorate around a week after birth. She was seen by medical staff at the local Primary Health Centre (PHC), but during this time, an aunt of the baby’s mother who had come to visit the family advised a folk remedy instead of conventional treatment.
“The woman claimed the baby was suffering from stomach bloating and insisted on performing ‘damma’, a traditional ritual that involves branding the child’s abdomen with a heated object,” a police official from Chikhaldara told reporters. “She used a hot iron rod and left visible burn marks on the baby’s body.”
The act came to light during a routine follow-up visit by PHC staff on Friday. Upon noticing the branding injuries, the health workers rushed the child to the Achalpur district hospital. Doctors confirmed the injuries and began immediate treatment.
“The infant was discharged on Saturday and is in stable condition,” the official added.
The woman relative, believed to be a distant aunt of the child’s mother, was detained for questioning soon after. A case has been registered under Section 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), and under provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act.
“This is a clear violation of both the law and human dignity,” said a senior district police officer. “Such inhuman acts rooted in superstition have no place in today’s society. The law will take its full course.”
Child welfare activists say this is not an isolated case. The Melghat region, which comprises a significant tribal population, has witnessed multiple incidents of traditional healing practices that involve harmful rituals. “Despite awareness campaigns, many families continue to rely on local quacks and rituals instead of qualified doctors,” said Rupa Dandekar, a social worker in the region.
Medical officials have also called for increased vigilance and outreach. “There’s a desperate need for sustained awareness drives in tribal areas to eradicate these practices,” said a senior health officer from Amravati. “Branding a newborn is not just harmful—it’s a crime.”
Authorities have promised strict action. The accused woman may face further charges depending on the outcome of the investigation. Meanwhile, local health workers have stepped up follow-ups in the area to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
“This should serve as a warning,” said the officer. “Inflicting harm in the name of tradition will not be tolerated.”
