HC orders action against parents of abandoned girl

Taking cognisance of reports highlighting the plight of an eight-day-old girl abandoned at a Jodhpur hospital, the Rajasthan high court on Monday directed the chief metropolitan magistrate to book the parents who have refused to take custody of the infant.

Taking cognisance of reports highlighting the plight of an eight-day-old girl abandoned at a Jodhpur hospital, the Rajasthan high court on Monday directed the chief metropolitan magistrate to book the parents who have refused to take custody of the infant.

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The girl was born at the Ummaid Hospital to Poonam Kanwar on March 25, the same night when another woman, Reshmi Devi, gave birth to a boy in the hospital.

However, the hospital staff mistakenly switched the infants — the boy was handed over to Kanwar and the girl was given to Devi. When the staff realised their mistake, they again exchanged the babies.

Now, neither family is ready to accept the girl and are squabbling with each other to claim the boy.

Kanwar’s husband Chain Singh, a private teacher in Barmer district, said his family is suffering because of the hospital’s negligence.

“I will accept the girl only after a DNA test confirms it is ours,” Singh said. He has also filed a police complaint against the hospital administration.

Hospital sources said soon after the issue was raised, a committee looked into the matter and prima facie found that the girl belongs to Kanwar and Singh. Matching of blood samples also confirmed the same. However, as the couple is not satisfied, the hospital decided to go in for a DNA test.

“We have sent DNA samples of both couples to Delhi.... Disciplinary action will be taken against the staff for negligence,” said Narendra Chhangani, hospital’s medical superintendent.