Kendrapara, Dec. 9: A newborn male died after a doctor accidentally dropped him at the gynaecology and obstetrics ward of the district headquarters hospital here today.

The incident, according to a complaint lodged by the parents, occurred early in the morning.

Hospital authorities have already begun a probe into the incident, while police have begun an inquiry based on the complaint lodged by the parents.

"After I gave birth, the doctor on duty tried to hold the baby by both hands. However, because of carelessness on his part, the baby slipped and fell on the ground. He suffered injuries to the head and died afterwards. It was my first baby and I lost him because of the doctor's negligence," said the 19-year-old mother Jharana Mallik, who hails from Chatta village.

"The doctor had demanded a bribe before the delivery. But, we had refused. We believe it was a deliberate act on the his part," Jharana's husband, Goutam, alleged in the FIR.

"The body has already been sent for a post-mortem, keeping in mind the sensitivity of the case. We have also instituted a departmental inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the allegation," said chief district medical officer Niranjan Swain.

Sub-divisional police officer Kedarnath Sahoo said: "We have registered a case of unnatural death. We are waiting for the autopsy report before initiating further action."

Several instances of medical negligence in government and private health institutes have emerged in the recent past.