Bhubaneswar: Weeks after accusing her foster parents in the US of physical and mental abuse, an Odia girl has claimed that she had made such allegations against the American couple simply to return to Odisha.
After arrival at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar, the girl, identified as Puja alias Sejal, said that she created the false narrative as she wanted to come back to Odisha. She further stated that she wanted to reunite with her childhood friend and lover Amar, who reportedly lives in Balasore.
She had moved to the US after being adopted by the American couple in 2018. Her ties with Amar revived years later through social media while she was in the 12th grade. Sejal then became desperate to return to Odisha to reunite with him.
In a desperate bid, Sejal recorded a video alleging mental and physical torture, and pressure to convert religion. The clip spread rapidly online, capturing public sympathy. Amar, moved by her supposed plight, appealed repeatedly to the state government and central authorities to bring her back. Officials, taking the matter seriously, initiated steps to facilitate her return.
After reaching Bhubaneswar, Sejal broke down and admitted that the allegations made by her were not true. She revealed she had fabricated the entire story only to come back to Odisha and live with Amar. The false claims have reportedly created an international controversy and put her adoptive mother in legal difficulty in the US.
Amar is yet to issue any response to her revelations.
Born in 2006, Sejal got separated from her parents while travelling in train outside the state. She was rescued by childline and brought to Odisha.
She was initially put up at Nilagiri in Balasore, and then at a Kanya Ashram at Naharkanta in Bhubaneswar from where she was adopted by the American couple seven years ago. She came in contact with Amar, with whom she had studied in school, in 2023 through social media.
