A 17-day-old baby girl died on Sunday in Kerala’s Idukki district, three days after she was attacked by her father with stones and sticks. 32-year-old Ravi brutally assaulted his wife Vimala and child on Thursday night, before locking them up in the house and fleeing the scene.

The baby breathed her last at Kottayam Medical College hospital, where she was admitted along with her mother on Friday. Police say that the new born baby - who was delivered prematurely - was admitted to the hospital soon after she was born. The couple, who lived in Pattayamkudi tribal colony with their three children, returned home only on Thursday morning, and are said to have had arguments regarding the paternity of the child.

"Both of them were suspicious of each other for a long time and that's how the fight ensued. When the argument got worse, Ravi attacked his wife and baby with stones and sticks. Vimala sustained injuries on her body, especially on her face. The baby did not have any visible signs of injury. Ravi then fled the house," Adimaly SI Lalshree Baby told The News Minute.

The incident came to light, when Vimala's neighbours grew suspicious on seeing the house locked up. Upon checking, they found Vimala lying unconscious in the house. A team of police and officials from the health department then rescued the mother and child.

A day later, the police nabbed Ravi from a toddy shop where he was a regular. Ravi, who was charged for attempt to murder, has been sent to Devikulam sub-jail. Following the infant's death, he has now been booked for murder.

"Though we believe the baby was tortured, we are yet to ascertain the cause of the death. The body has been sent for post mortem," the police said.