Himachal court resolves child swapping case amicably

A court in Himachal Pradesh on Friday allowed two feuding couples to settle their child swapping case amicably and directed hospital authorities to chalk out steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

In an order reflecting the humane side of law, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has tried to bring the two disputing couples together after the DNA report confirmed that the babies were swapped in Kamla Nehru Hospital in Shimla.

Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Sandeep Sharma asked couples Jitinder Thakur and Anjani Thakur and Anil and Sheetal to settle the case amicably otherwise it would be forced to pass its order.

Both the couples stated before the court that they arrived at an amicable settlement in view of the investigation report and have decided to exchange the babies on October 26 after performing some religious ceremonies.

The court was hearing the petition of Sheetal, who alleged that she had given birth to a baby boy in the hospital on May 26 but after 20-25 minutes a baby girl was handed over to her.

Taking serious note of the child swapping case in the state's prestigious hospital, the bench directed the police and hospital authorities to conclude the investigation and take the proceedings to its logical end as early as possible.

Listing the case for next hearing on October 27, the court directed hospital authorities to take the departmental inquiry to its logical end.

--IANS

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