Woman claims adoption agency forcibly took child

A woman has complained to the Hassan police that her child was forcibly taken away from her by a specialised adoption agency in the district and has demanded that she get her child back.

Shwetha (24), said that she had delivered a baby boy on February 11. Three days after the delivery, Dr. H.K. Phalaksha, a paediatrician, who runs Thavaru Public Charitable Trust, the adoption agency, took her baby away and forcibly put him up for adoption. “I had not signed the papers that the doctor brought. In fact, he took my thumb impression, though I could have signed my name,” she said.

Shwetha’s husband had passed away three years ago. She was in a live-in relationship with another person, with whom she had the baby. The complainant has also accused V. Geetha, Deputy Director, Department of Women and Child Development, Veena and Jayashree – both counsellors at a women’s care centre, where Shwetha had stayed during her pregnancy, of a role in the alleged abduction.

The mother met the Superintendent of Police in Hassan on Friday. The police have called in Dr. Phalaksha and the others for an inquiry. So far, nobody has been arrested.

Doctor denies allegation

When The Hindu contacted Dr. Phalaksha, he said that the allegation was false. “The woman herself surrendered the baby before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on February 23 and the baby was taken up for adoption through the right, legal procedure,” he said.

He added that Shwetha had given a statement on surrendering the baby to the CWC and that her statement had been recorded. A couple from Tamil Nadu has shown interest in adopting the infant through the Central Adoption Resource Authority. The CWC held a meeting on Saturday and decided to consult the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) on further action.

‘Three months up’

Dr. Phalaksha said that as per the guidelines for child adoption, a mother has the right to reclaim her baby within 60 days of surrendering the baby. “It has already been more than three months since Shwetha surrendered the baby. Now, the CARA has to take a decision on this matter,” he added.

Hassan police have begun investigating after registering a case under the Section 363 (kidnapping) of the Indian Penal Code.

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