Newborn given to another couple, FIR filed against hospital owner

According to police, the husband of a 40-year-old woman, in his complaint, said that after his wife delivered the girl child, the hospital owner, Dr Ashok Rathore, and the staff members told him that it would not be easy for him to take care of six daughters and instead give away the newborn to a childless couple. “Ashok Rathore also said that the childless couple will foot my hospital bills,” the husband, who is a farmer, complained.

Police said that initially the farmer and his wife agreed and handed over the baby to the doctor. But after returning home, he “realised” his mistake and returned to the hospital and asked Dr Rathore to return his baby. The complainant alleged that Rathore told him that he had sold his daughter to a Muslim couple and he could not return him, police said.

In the meantime, VHP workers came to know about it and started protesting outside the hospital. As the matter got escalated, the hospital staff returned the newborn to the farmer.

Superintendent of Police (Shahjahanpur) S Anand said a case has been lodged into the matter against the hospital owner under IPC section 342 and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection ) Act. Chief Medical Officer (Shahjahanpur) RK Gautam said he has ordered a detailed inquiry of the hospital, which has been running for the last few years.

“After coming to know about the matter, I ordered an inquiry. During our preliminary probe, it has come to light that the hospital was not registered. So, we have sealed the hospital. We are verifying all the details of the hospital. The next course of action will be taken on the basis of the inquiry report,” the CMO added.

Meanwhile, VHP’s Shahjahanpur district secretary Rajesh Awasthi said, “After we came to know about the matter, I called up the hospital owner. He admitted to handing over a baby to a couple. When I asked whether due procedure was followed, he stayed mum. After my call, the hospital owner immediately returned the baby girl to her parents… I have requested district administration and police to arrest the owner of the hospital.”