Thanjavur: The body of a newborn baby boy was dumped in a handbag in the bathing ghat of G A Canal, known as Pudhu Aaru, in Thanjavur today.

Unable to bear the stench that was emanating from the bathing ghat, some local residents informed the police.

Police from Thanjavur East Police Station rushed to the spot and inspected the area, where they found the baby’s body wrapped in a cloth in the bag.

The baby’s umbilical cord had not been removed. Police also found three surgical scissors nearby. They sent the body to the government hospital for postmortem.

Police suspect the child was born to an unmarried woman and hence killed. A case has been registered and further investigation is on.