Rourkela, Nov. 10: Twin babies, who had allegedly been sold after their father failed to bear the expenses, were returned to their mother following the district child protection officer's intervention.
The twins, a boy and a girl, were born to Shaktinagar residents Surendra and Swarnalata Pradhan at a nursing home in Koelnagar on September 19.
According to sources, the twins' father, a plumber, allegedly sold them because he was unable to bear the medical expenses during delivery.
District child protection officer Sribanta Jena intervened shortly afterwards and the boy child was returned to the mother. The girl, who was taken by another person, was on her way back at the time of filing this report.
Jena had also visited the couple's house with his officers and spoken to Swarnalata. He said: "The two-month-old baby boy was returned to the mother yesterday evening."
Jena said a woman from Koelnagar had taken the boy. He confirmed that the boy had been staying with her for the past month. Following reports in the media, she decided to return the baby.
"She claimed that she had borne the medical expenses, amounting to Rs 1.7 lakhs. We need to investigate this further," he said.
Jena also said that Swarnalata initially did not want to keep the babies and had planned to abort them. She was persuaded by someone against it. "That person had told her that she could give the babies away later," Jena said.
The girl was given away to a couple in Jajpur and they were on their way to Rourkela, said the official.
"None of them had followed legal steps to adopt the children. The way they had kept the children was illegal and we will initiate action against them," he said.
Swarnalata, however, said: "I had willingly given the girl to my sister-in-law in Jajpur and the boy was with a lady who helped me."
However, she told the officials in front of the media that she would keep the babies with her despite hardship. Her husband Surendra also said: "I have no objection in keeping the babies." The couple also have a 12-year-old daughter.
