Cuttack, April 7: In a new twist to the alleged child swapping incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital, the advocates’ committee today urged the hospital authorities to conduct a DNA test of the newborn to ascertain her biological parents.

The committee has also suggested the installation of close circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside the labour room to record deliveries to avoid allegations of child swapping, which are tarnishing the image of the premier government hospital in the state.

“Today, we have discussed the matter with the couple from Nishintkoili who have brought the allegation of child swapping against the authorities,” said advocates’ committee amicus curiae P.R. Dash.

According to Dash, the committee has expressed concern over repeated allegations of child swapping at the obstetrics and gynaecology department at the hospital. He said the hospital officials must conduct a DNA test to ascertain the legal parents of the girl, who is now undergoing treatment at the special neonatal care unit of the hospital.

The eight-day-old baby has been abandoned by the couple, who are contemplating moving court in the wake of the controversy.

The couple, Rashmita and her husband Sushant Mallick, from Nischintkoili, have alleged that their newborn baby boy was swapped by the medical staff with a girl child.

The family members have refused to accept the girl as they claim that Rashmita had given birth to a male child around 5.20pm on April 5.

“How can we accept the girl when my mother had seen it was a boy? We will move court on Monday as the authorities of the hospital have not taken any measure to find the truth,” said Sushant.

“The advocates committee has advised the installation of CCTV cameras and we will certainly consider its feasibility and initiate measures,” said senior hospital manager Srikanta Mahapatra. He added that steps would later be taken to conduct the DNA test of the child.

soon the footprint examination of the newborn will be sent to forensic experts in Bhubaneswar and later, steps will be to conduct the DNA test of the child.