HYDERABAD: An unidentified baby girl, reportedly aged between five and 10 days, was found abandoned on platform no. 50 at the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station on Monday. She was spotted by a sweeper who informed the local police, which, in turn, handed over the baby to Childline NGO. The baby is currently undergoing treatment at Niloufer Hospital and her medical condition is yet to be certified. Afzalgunj Police has registered a case under Section 317 of IPC for abandonment of a child under the age of 12. The CCTV footage at the bus station revealed that a man aged around 60 left the baby at the bus station. Police is yet to identify the man.
SHRC seeks inquiry report: Meanwhile, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), based on a petition filed by city-based NGO Balala Hakkula Sangham, has called for an inquiry by the Principal Secretary, Women and Child Welfare to look into the matter. Stating that at least 50 newborn babies were abandoned this year, the NGO, in their petition, sought for the Cradle Scheme to be reinstated, where parents can willingly give up their children for adoption.
Officials state that the scheme will soon be adopted after doing a survey on most vulnerable places in the state.
“As per the scheme, cradles will be set up in hospitals, anganwadi centres or panchayat offices so that those who cannot raise the baby can leave it there,” said A Devender, district child protection officer, Rangareddy. However, the plan of implementation of the scheme is still being chalked out. KRS Lakshmi Devi, joint director of the women and child welfare department was unavailable to provide an outline on the implementation of the scheme.