The case has also raised concerns as Esen, born at home on 24 April, 2024, was not given any vaccinations.
Published Jun 28, 2025 | 3:15 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 28, 2025 | 3:15 PM
One-year-old dies in Kottakkal. (iStock)
Synopsis: The death of one-month-old Esen Erhan in Kottakkal has triggered a Health Department probe. Officials suspect untreated jaundice, but the family denies negligence. Esen, born at home and unvaccinated, reportedly collapsed on 27 June. His parents, advocates of home births and alternative treatments, allegedly refused hospital care. Authorities have noted conflicting accounts and are investigating possible medical neglect.
The death of a one-year-old boy in Kottakkal in Malappuram under controversial circumstances has triggered an investigation by the Health Department.
While officials suspect the child, Esen Erhan, died due to complications from untreated jaundice, the grieving family has firmly rejected the allegation.
Esen, son of Nawaz and Hira Harira, natives of Pang near Kottakkal, reportedly collapsed at home on Friday, 27 June evening. Though the child was later taken to a private hospital in Kottakkal, doctors confirmed his death.
The incident gained attention after it emerged that the parents allegedly believed in unscientific treatment methods. The child’s mother Hira is an acupuncturist and an advocate of home delivery. She had previously shared social media posts advocating home births and alternative treatments.
Speaking with South First earlier, Hira supported home births, and said that she had given birth to her second child, Esen, at home – without medical intervention or fear.
“I was tension-free, courageous. My mother cleaned my tiny human being and handed him over to me. I hugged him, took a bath, and walked to my bedroom,” she had told South First.
The case has also raised concerns as Esen, born at home on 24 April, 2024, was not given any vaccinations.
Health officials noted that a relative told them that Esen chocked on milk and soon got unresponsive and later a doctor who arrived at the house confirmed death. They further claimed that the initial findings suggest the boy had jaundice for several days, but did not receive timely medical care.
According to officials, the family was convinced the jaundice would subside naturally if it rained and resorted to home remedies like showering the child.
The Health Department claimed that despite the baby’s condition worsening by Friday afternoon, the parents refused to admit him to a hospital. Relatives, however, have denied this version.
Speaking to officials, they maintained that Esen showed no signs of jaundice and was active until shortly before he suddenly collapsed.
A doctor was called home and declared the child dead, following which he was taken to a hospital. The family, it’s learnt, intimated the death of the child to the panchayat at around 5.30 pm on Friday.
Health officials recorded statements from Nawaz at Kadampuzha police station, while Hira, reportedly too distressed to speak, remained at home. The authorities have noted discrepancies in the relatives’ accounts.
A detailed probe is underway under the Malappuram District Medical Officer’s supervision.
While it was Kadampuzha Police which first inquired the case, it will now get transferred to Kottakkal Police as the death happened within their station limits.
Hamzath PM, who has been actively campaigning against the growing trend of unassisted home births in the district, argues that such deliveries are risky and that social media posts like Hira’s encourage unsafe practices. He was also the one who filed a police complaint in this case.
The FIR accessed by South First, noted that, “Initial information suggests that the death may have occurred due to the lack of timely and appropriate treatment for jaundice.”
Based on the available information, a preliminary report has been recorded under Section 194 of the BNSS.
Speaking to South First, Hamzath said, “I lodged a complaint with the Kadampuzha police after learning about the incident. The child, who was suffering from jaundice, died without receiving any treatment and was never given the vaccination against jaundice.”
“Neighbours told me that the baby had been unwell for several days, yet the family did not consult a doctor. Every child has the right to proper vaccination and timely medical care. The police informed me that the body will be exhumed for post-mortem after obtaining orders from the Revenue Department and the District Collector,” he added.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
