State child rights panel visits SCB to probe charges of ‘missing’ infants

Cuttack: Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) chairperson Babita Patra along with other members visited SCB Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday to inquire into allegations that 14 newborns had gone missing from the hospital between 2019 and 2025.While hospital authorities produced information on five children before the commission, records relating to the remaining nine are yet to be traced. The commission has also sought a report from SCB on children born to destitute mothers since 2010.Patra, along with commission members Manasmita Khuntia and Kasturi Mishra, conducted an on-site inspection of the hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology department. The team examined hospital records and interacted with officials to verify claims related to missing, sold or unaccounted newborns.During the inspection, authorities submitted preliminary information on five newborns. Of these, three were reportedly reunited with their biological families, while two were handed over to voluntary organisations for care and protection.Hospital officials told the commission that several cases involved women who were mentally challenged or lacked family support, raising concerns over vulnerability and safeguarding mechanisms at the facility.The commission has sought detailed documents from the NGOs involved to ascertain whether due legal process was followed in the transfer of custody. “Particular focus is on whether the children were produced before the Child Welfare Committee, as mandated by law. We have asked the organisations concerned to submit detailed records. Our priority is to trace the present status of these children and ensure all legal protocols were followed,” Patra said.She added that the commission has registered a suo motu case to facilitate a comprehensive inquiry. “We will collect all relevant information regarding the children’s whereabouts and their current condition. Notices will be issued wherever necessary,” she said.Sources said between 2019 and 2025, at least 16 children were born to destitute or mentally challenged women in the department, and concerns persist over tracking their present status.As reported earlier, the revenue divisional commisisoner, Central Range, has asked the hospital to conduct a probe after an RTI activist filed a petition alleging that 14 infants were suspected to have gone missing from the hospital since 2019.