The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea filed by a couple alleging a case of “child swapping” at a private hospital in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan, on September 1, issued notice to the Chhattisgarh government, the hospital, and its director, seeking their responses within four weeks.
The petitioners approached the apex court after the Chhattisgarh High Court, in January, declined to order an FIR against the doctor and the hospital director. The couple had sought an investigation into their complaint, claiming that the mother delivered a girl and a boy at the hospital but was later handed over two girls.
Following their suspicions, a DNA test was conducted. The results confirmed parentage with only one of the girls, prompting the couple to allege a “clear case of child swapping.”
In the earlier proceedings, the Chhattisgarh High Court had relied on the findings of a six-member expert committee of doctors. The committee examined hospital records and found them to be “correct,” ruling out any instance of child theft.
The hospital director also informed the high court that authorities had thoroughly investigated the matter, and the children were handed over to the parents at discharge. With no criminal act attributed to the hospital, the high court dismissed the plea, observing that the petitioners were free to seek other legal remedies if advised.
Challenging the high court’s order, the couple approached the Supreme Court, arguing that their complaint had not been adequately investigated. Their counsel stressed that the key question—whether both a boy and a girl were delivered at the hospital—remained unanswered.
Taking note of the concerns, the Supreme Court said the matter required consideration and formally issued notices to the state and hospital authorities. The case will now be heard after the responses are filed.
