Thrissur (Kerala), June 30 (IANS) A 30-year-old woman and her newborn baby were found dead inside a lodge room in Kerala’s Thrissur city on Tuesday, and a detailed investigation into the incident has been launched, police said.

The deceased was identified as Jyothi, 30, a native of Edamuttam in Thrissur district.

While the police’s preliminary assessment is that she may have died due to complications following childbirth, they said several aspects of the incident remain unexplained.

An autorickshaw driver, described as a friend of the woman, has been taken into custody and is being questioned as part of the investigation.

According to police, Jyothi checked into Room No. 108 of a private lodge in the city at around 2.30 p.m. on June 27.

She was brought there by the autorickshaw driver, who was known to the lodge staff.

The employees later told investigators that they were unaware the woman was pregnant when she rented the room.

Police said concern was raised after the woman failed to respond to repeated phone calls.

The autorickshaw driver subsequently came to the lodge to enquire about her.

When his repeated knocks on the room door went unanswered, he alerted the lodge management, who in turn informed the police.

A police team, assisted by Fire and Rescue Services personnel, reached the lodge.

As the room had been bolted from the inside, officials had to force open the door after several unsuccessful attempts to gain entry.

On entering the room, they found the woman and the newborn baby lying dead.

Investigators believe the woman delivered the baby inside the lodge room.

They suspect excessive bleeding or other post-partum medical complications may have caused her death, though the exact cause will be established only after the post-mortem examination.

Police are also investigating the nature of the relationship between Jyothi and the autorickshaw driver, as well as the circumstances that led her to stay alone in the lodge during the final stage of her pregnancy.

The room has been sealed for forensic examination, and the bodies have been sent for autopsy.

Police said further action in the case would depend on the findings of the post-mortem report and other forensic evidence.

A detailed investigation is continuing.

–IANS

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