A man was arrested on Saturday for abandoning his newborn baby in a church in Edappally, Kochi and he will be charged under various sections of IPC and Juvenile Justice Act.

The person allegedly committed the offence out of fear that he would be shamed socially for siring a fourth child, reports PTI.

During the preliminary probe, the person told the investigation team that the offence was committed out of fear that they would be shamed socially for siring a fourth child, police said. They were allegedly laughed at by friends and locals for the wife being continuously pregnant, the report added.

The baby is two-day old who’s parents were traced from Wadakancherry in Thrissur this morning. The issue came into light when CCTV footage of the incident was aired by local television channels and circulated on social media.

The CCTV visuals showed a couple leaving the child in the premises of St George Forane Church late last evening. The security staff of the church noticed the child at around 8:30 pm and alerted the police immediately.

In the CCTV footage, the couple along with another child, seen walking into the church premises around 8:15 pm with the baby wrapped in an orange sheet. Before leaving the new-born the father kissed the baby on the forehead.

The baby is admitted in a private hospital now.