A deeply disturbing case involving the delivery of a 15-year-old minor and the alleged illegal handover of her newborn has jolted the Chhattisgarh’s medical and administrative establishment, exposing grave lapses in child protection norms and hospital accountability.
The incident that occurred in a private healthcare facility in Rajnandgaon has raised serious questions about compliance with the POCSO Act, the conduct of medical professionals, and the possible existence of an organised racket operating under the guise of routine healthcare.
The case came to light after the minor’s mother submitted a written complaint at the Chichola police outpost on December 31, 2025. She stated that her underage daughter became pregnant after being misled by a local youth. Fearing social stigma, the family did not initially approach the police and sent the girl to stay with relatives. According to the complaint, after the delivery, the newborn was allegedly handed over by the girl’s relatives to another couple, described as “needy”, without any legal adoption process.
As the incident fell within the Boratlab police station limits, a zero FIR was registered at Chichola and transferred. The Boratlab Police subsequently registered Crime No. 1/26 and launched a detailed investigation. On January 8, the minor boy involved was taken into custody and sent to a juvenile observation home, officials said.
Investigators are now closely examining the role of Krishna Hospital, where the delivery allegedly took place. Of particular concern is the involvement of a woman doctor currently posted at a government medical college, who is accused of conducting the delivery at the private hospital, an apparent violation of service rules. More critically, the police say mandatory reporting to authorities, required under the POCSO Act whenever a minor is found pregnant, was not done.
The alleged conspiracy unravelled when an attempt was made to secure a birth certificate from another hospital by falsely showing the place of birth and listing different parents. Objections during verification led officials to trace the delivery back to Krishna Hospital. Sources indicate that crucial hospital records and registers related to the delivery have since gone missing, suggesting possible attempts to destroy evidence.
The whereabouts of the newborn remain unknown, intensifying public concern. Chief Medical and Health Officer Netram Navratan said the district collector has constituted a special inquiry team, while police are recording statements of doctors and hospital staff. The role of the ultrasound centre that conducted scans on the minor is also under scrutiny, as mandatory reporting norms appear to have been ignored.
As the investigation widens, the case has sparked outrage across Rajnandgaon, with growing demands for strict action against all those involved. The focus now rests on whether the missing newborn can be safely traced and whether the law enforcement agencies will reach the alleged white collar offenders accused of reducing a child’s birth into a criminal transaction.