In a shocking incident, a couple allegedly refused to cooperate with the health authorities and reportedly delivered a female baby at their home aided by online videos at Gopalpatti in Dindigul district here on Thursday.

Deputy Director (Health) Selvakumar said on Friday that the couple – Gajendran and Satya -were married about six years ago and had recently shifted to Gopalpatti. Gajendran is said to be employed in a public sector bank here.

The block medical officer’s team in Kosavapatti, during a door-to-door visit a few months ago, had directed Satya to enrol but she had refused to do so. “The woman and her husband said they both believed in natural delivery of their baby. When the nurses explained the risks involved, they refused to listen,” the doctors said.

Under such circumstances, when the village health nurse received information through the couple’s neighbours that she had developed labour pain on Thursday evening, she alerted the department. Immediately, an emergency ambulance service assisted with para-medical team, SI Gunasekaran from Sanarpatti police station and VAO Subburaj rushed to the spot.

However, the couple refused to open the door for them. After sometime they heard the new born baby cry and Gajendran stepped out. Immediately, the health team went in to examine the mother and child. As they continued to non-cooperate, the officials said that they would register a case.

The police said that they are examining the WhatsApp group to see if further action is warranted.