Woman writes to Child Welfare Committee seeking return of her child

June 14, 2016 12:00 am | Updated October 18, 2016 02:57 pm IST - Hassan:

The woman, who had lodged a complaint with the police against a doctor and others in Hassan of forcibly taking away her child, has written to the Child Welfare Committee seeking the return of her child. Shwetha, the complainant, had the opportunity to spend some time with the baby at the office of the Child Welfare Committee on Saturday.

Shwetha had told the police that Dr. H.K. Phalaksha, who runs an adoption agency— Tavaru Charitable Trust— forcibly took away her child in February this year. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case of kidnap under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code against the doctor.

Shwetha, who appeared before the Child Welfare Committee on Saturday, said she had given the baby to Tavaru Charitable Trust in February this year and she wanted the baby back. The Child Welfare Committee, in turn, has brought the issue to the attention of the Central Adoption Resource Centre for further action. The Child Welfare Committee allowed her to spend some time with the baby. Now, the child is in the custody of the adoption agency. A couple from Tamil Nadu has shown interest to adopt the child.

V. Geetha, Deputy Director, Women and Child Development, told The Hindu , “If the mother had sought the baby within 60 days of surrendering it, the committee would have returned it. As the duration has crossed 90 days, the Child Welfare Committee has sought clarification from the CARA,” she said. Meanwhile, regarding the complaint filed by Shwetha, Ms. Geetha said she was not involved in the entire episode. “I don’t know whether the name Geetha referred to in the complaint is me or not. The police have not called me so far a statement,” she said.

Ms. Geetha maintained that she, in fact, had suggested Shwetha not to give the baby for adoption.

“When I met her in February this year, I had suggested her she to avail the benefits of a scheme in the Women and Child Development Department to set up a petty shop,” she added.

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