9-Day-Old’s adoption sparks fury,
Four CWC Members Axed in Rayagada
RAYAGADA, 5/5/25
Sudhansu Singh (Bureau chief Southern Odisha)
Odisha’s government has fired four Rayagada Child Welfare Committee (CWC) members inckuding the CWC, Chairperson for gross negligence in a shocking illegal adoption case, where a 9-day-old baby girl was sold to a couple from Andhra Pradesh, authorities revealed on May 1, 2025.The issue, exposed by media in November 2024, ignited public fury and prompted a high-level probe. The Department of Women & Child Development, with the Governor’s approval (letters No. 10910, 10902,10934and 10926), terminated CWC members Sri Gagarin Sabar, Kailash Chandra Palo, Priyadarshani Mahakul, Smt. Jyotsamayi Padhi including CWC Chairperson Smt. Bidulata Huika for violating the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. “Their inaction endangered a defenseless infant,” a department official declared.An investigation, ordered by Rayagada’s Collector and led by the Sub-Collector, uncovered damning lapses. The CWC failed to report the illegal adoption for five days, ignored an unregistered adoption deed, and turned a blind eye to the Notary Public and advocate who drafted the illicit document. A show-cause notice issued on December 15, 2024, yielded an inadequate response, sealing the CWC’s fate. These four including the Chairperson CWC, were slammed for their lack of preparedness and ignorance of CWC protocols as per reliable sources, and were ordered to surrender all records and properties to the District Child Protection Officer immediately. The infant, rescued after the exposé, is now under a Special Adoption Agency’s care, awaiting legal adoption.This case has ripped open flaws in Odisha’s child welfare system, with critics pointing to lax oversight and inadequate training. “We’re committed to accountability and safeguarding children’s rights,” the department vowed, promising stricter monitoring and CWC reforms. Rayagada officials are now probing similar cases, amid growing demands to tackle illegal adoptions and child trafficking statewide.The sacked members’ failure has fueled calls for a complete overhaul of Odisha’s child protection framework to ensure no child falls through the cracks again.
