Cuttack: The Central Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) has ordered a probe into the alleged disappearance of 14 newborns from SCB Medical College and Hospital (MCH) in Cuttack.
This followed media reports, which revealed that 14 newborns delivered by destitute and mentally ill women in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of the hospital over the past six years are untraceable.
According to the reports, helpless and mentally challenged women are often admitted to the department through social workers for delivery. Hospital protocol requires that newborns of such unidentified or vulnerable mothers be handed over to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the District Child Protection Officer for placement in child care institutions. However, information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act suggested that in many cases, the infants were allegedly handed over directly to the same individuals or intermediaries who brought the mothers to the hospital. The babies in some cases were allegedly sold for Rs 5,000.
The RDC has directed the SCB MCH superintendent to conduct a detailed probe into the matter and submit a comprehensive report for further legal action.
