[bbfan1991]

The case of a baby girl who was allegedly buried alive in the state of Uttar Pradesh has shocked many Indians, as the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder reports.

Inside a filthy paediatric ward at a government hospital in Meerut, a short drive from Delhi, two-month old Radhika lies quietly on a bed.

Incredibly frail and weak, she is connected to an intravenous drip and her stomach is distended.

"She's suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration," says the doctor attending to her.

But she is incredibly lucky.

Her father and uncle allegedly tried to bury her alive, apparently as a sacrifice to protect the health of their other children on the advice of a spiritual guru.

"We have arrested both men," says Bimal Yadav, the police chief in Pilkhua town where the incident allegedly took place.

"They will face charges of attempted murder."

But Radhika's mother Bharati, who is with her daughter in the hospital, denies the accusation.

"It's an absolute lie," she says, tears streaming down her face.

"Tell me which mother would want to kill her own child."

'Half-dug grave'

But in the main graveyard at Pilkhua, I hear a different version.

"There, you can still see the signs," Sriram Kore, the graveyard caretaker, says as he points to a half-dug grave.

The graveyard caretaker claims he surprised Radhika's father and uncle digging this grave
He describes how he chanced upon the two men, as they were digging the grave, ritual offerings placed right next to it.

"They had a little bundle with them - a dead girl they said they wanted to bury.

"But I could see she was alive. So I called the police immediately."

What is even more shocking is that this is not an isolated case.

"There were three similar stories in the past month alone," says Mohammad Naseem, a local journalist.

"I've covered dozens of other cases just like this one.

"In almost all the cases it's due to poverty and illiteracy because of which people rely on superstition."

It's easy to see why. Pilkhua is located just a 100km (62 miles) from the Indian capital Delhi - off the main highway heading east.

Pilkhua is not far from India's centres of prosperity but many still struggle with poverty
Around us there are signs of India's development - high-rise apartment blocks, wide roads.

But inside the town there are narrow, filthy lanes, reeking of sewage.

Radhika's family lives in one corner of Pilkhua - in a tiny home which they share with another family.

Their neighbours are furious with them.

"They've ruined our reputation," mutters one young man. "That's why people like you are here."

It does not hide the fact that here, just a couple of hours drive from the capital of one of the world's fastest growing economies, superstition and prejudice prevails - especially among those who are desperately poor.

[Niamh.]

OMG

[nicole_burks]

Wow

Sacrificing their two month old daughter trying to save their other kids?
What were they thinking?!!

[Redway]

That's just sick and disgusting. Stupid parents. Hope the baby's OK.

[MTVN]

Sounds like they were manipulated into thinking it was the right thing to do by this "spiritual guru"

[Jords]

:/

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Sounds like they were manipulated into thinking it was the right thing to do by this "spiritual guru"

Yeah, these religious/spiritual people/organisations seem to be able to manipulate the poorest most vulnerable people, it's similar to the kids branded as witches in Africa

[Jack_]

What moronic reasoning. How vile.

And this ladies and gentlemen, only seeks to prove further why religious, spiritual and other out of this world beliefs are detrimental to society.

Money and religion are the cause of all evil.

[Marc]

God some people are ******ed up.

[Kazanne]

The mind boggles,wonder how many poor souls have not been so 'lucky'

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Yeah, these religious/spiritual people/organisations seem to be able to manipulate the poorest most vulnerable people, it's similar to the kids branded as witches in Africa

Still, though. Anybody with a quarter of a brain should know that you don't bury your children alive. It's a mess.

[King Gizzard]

Yes, because this is totally representitive of all religions put together

[Petershaw1984]

Shocking

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Redway

Still, though. Anybody with a quarter of a brain should know that you don't bury your children alive. It's a mess.

Try saying that living in one of the poorest regions in India when you've had basically no access to any decent education and the words of these spiritual guru's are still thought to hold truth

[Marsh.]

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Yes, because this is totally representitive of all religions put together

Who said it was?