The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) on Tuesday conducted an inquiry at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack following allegations that 14 newborns had gone missing from the facility between 2019 and 2025. Chairperson Babita Patra, along with commission members Manasmita Khuntia and Kasturi Mishra, inspected the hospital's obstetrics and gynaecology department to verify claims regarding missing, sold, or unaccounted infants.
Preliminary Findings
Hospital authorities provided information on five children to the commission, but records for the remaining nine remain untraced. Of the five cases, three newborns were reportedly reunited with their biological families, while two were handed over to voluntary organisations for care and protection. The commission has sought a report from SCB on children born to destitute mothers since 2010.
Concerns Over Vulnerable Women
Hospital officials informed the commission that several cases involved women who were mentally challenged or lacked family support, raising concerns about safeguarding mechanisms. The commission has requested detailed documents from the NGOs involved to ensure due legal process was followed in custody transfers. “Particular focus is on whether the children were produced before the Child Welfare Committee, as mandated by law. We have asked the organisations concerned to submit detailed records. Our priority is to trace the present status of these children and ensure all legal protocols were followed,” Patra said.
Suo Motu Case Registered
The commission has registered a suo motu case to facilitate a comprehensive inquiry. “We will collect all relevant information regarding the children’s whereabouts and their current condition. Notices will be issued wherever necessary,” Patra added. Sources indicated that between 2019 and 2025, at least 16 children were born to destitute or mentally challenged women in the department, and concerns persist over tracking their current status.
Background of the Probe
The investigation follows a petition by an RTI activist alleging that 14 infants were suspected missing since 2019. Earlier, the revenue divisional commissioner, Central Range, directed the hospital to conduct a probe into the matter.
