A resident of Rajkanika in Kendrapada district on Tuesday levelled serious allegations of child swapping at the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Pranakrushna Parija alleged that his wife delivered a child at around 10:30 pm on Monday. His family was informed about the delivery of a male child. However, they found that it was a girl child when they tried to take a picture of the infant.
Parija’s family demanded a DNA test to ascertain the truth. Moreover, he refused to take the female child till the report was available.
According to Parija, the doctor subsequently told him that it was a mistake on part of the attendant. “I suspect that my child has been swapped. If I am wrong, the authorities should conduct a DNA test of both the babies,” Parija demanded.
Capital Hospital Director Laxmidhar Sahu said that if the allegations are true, it is serious. As per a preliminary investigation, he was told that the complainant’s wife delivered a girl child. But it was a slip of tongue on part of the attendant who said it was a boy while handing over the baby.
The director further said that a committee has been set up and efforts would be made to convince the couple. If nothing materialises, the matter would be referred to police and subsequently steps would be taken for a DNA test to ascertain the biological parents of the child.
