Woman arrested in Odisha child branding case

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Nabarangpur, May 26:

Barely 48 hours after the mind-numbing incident was reported, police in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district on Monday arrested the quack on whose advice a six-month-old baby was branded with hot iron rods by his parents to ‘cure’ him of his ailments.

The self-proclaimed medical professional identified as Padma Bhatra was arrested from Biriguda village in Papadahandi block under Kodinga police station limits.

The quack had allegedly advised the parents of the child to brand him with hot iron rods to cure him of abdominal pain and a tumour on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, members of the Juvenile Justice Board went to the village on Monday and recorded the statements of the parents of the victim– Sridhar Jani and Rupadei Jani—on the directive of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR).

Collector Rashmita Panda had directed Sub Collector Birendra Karkara, District Child Welfare Committee and Child Protection Unit to launch an inquiry into the incident and submit a report to her.  The Collector also directed the officials to ensure proper treatment to the child and removal of the tumour.

As per the instructions, the Sub Collector Birendra Karkara visited the hospital and enquired about the health of the child on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the child, who was initially admitted to Papadahandi PHC, is undergoing treatment at Nabarangpur district headquarters hospital.

“We have arrested the accused Padma Bhatra based on the complaint lodged by Sridhar Jani (child’s father),” Kodinga IIC Narendra Majhi said.