Newborn Girl Found Abandoned in Navi Mumbai
A three-day-old baby girl was found abandoned in a blue plastic basket in Navi Mumbai’s Takka Colony, Panvel, on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
A local resident spotted the basket on a roadside near Swapnalay Girls’ Orphanage around 5:30 a.m. The infant was wrapped in a blanket with baby essentials like milk powder and a feeding bottle.
Police were alerted and took the child into custody. The baby was examined by a pediatrician and found to be stable. She is now under the care of a charitable organization, with the state child welfare committee to decide her custody.
Background of the Incident
The abandonment occurred outside Swapnalay Girls’ Orphanage, a shelter for girls in Panvel. The parents, reportedly facing severe financial and mental strain, left the infant on the pavement instead of formally surrendering her to the orphanage.
Societal stigma and fear of family rejection likely contributed to their decision.
Experts, including psychiatrist Priyanka Mahajan from Masina Hospital, noted that societal judgment often pressures young parents, especially unwed mothers, to abandon children born out of wedlock, leading to guilt and remorse. The incident highlights broader issues of poverty and social stigma in India.
Who Left the Baby?
The infant’s parents, a 23-year-old unemployed engineer, Aman Iqbal Kondkar, and a 20-year-old woman from Mumbra, were identified as the ones who abandoned her.
The couple, distant relatives, had been in a secret relationship and possibly married for a year, unknown to their families.
They left the baby due to their inability to explain her birth to their families. CCTV footage showed a burkha-clad woman, presumed to be the mother, placing the basket near the orphanage at 2:42 a.m. The couple was traced to Bhiwandi within 24 hours using vehicle registration details.
Contents of the Letter
A handwritten note in English was found in the basket with the baby. It expressed the parents’ regret, stating, “We are sorry. We couldn’t raise her.
Please don’t involve anyone. We will come back for her someday.
We are close to her.” The note cited financial hardship and mental distress as reasons for the abandonment. It also pleaded for the child’s safety and expressed hope to reclaim her in the future, reflecting the parents’ emotional turmoil and desperation.
Official Statements
Senior Inspector Nitin Thakare of Panvel police station confirmed the mother expressed remorse and planned to retrieve the child the next day.
Police registered a case under Section 317 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 93 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for child abandonment.
No arrests have been made, but the couple was issued a notice to cooperate with the investigation. Authorities are verifying the couple’s marital status. The Navi Mumbai Crime Branch acted swiftly, using CCTV and technical surveillance to trace the parents
Parents Traced and Detained
The Navi Mumbai police detained the father, Aman Iqbal Kondkar, within 24 hours of the discovery. The mother was also identified but not arrested.
The couple admitted to abandoning the baby due to financial struggles and fear of family backlash over their secret marriage.
Police have asked the parents to take the child back, though custody decisions rest with the child welfare committee. The investigation continues to understand the full circumstances, with no final decision on legal action against the couple
This heartbreaking case shows the challenges of poverty, stigma, and mental health, prompting calls for better support systems for vulnerable parents. The infant’s future remains uncertain as authorities work to ensure her safety and well-being.
