10-yr-old rape survivor’s child to get new identity soon

Mohit Khanna

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 29

If all goes well, then the daughter of the 10-year-old rape survivor will have a new identity before next year. According to the official of the Social Welfare Department, an Indian couple has expressed interest in adopting the child.

The child was locked for adoption as per the guidelines laid by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) a few days ago.

Sources said several wannabe parents, including a high-rank IAS officer, had expressed interest to adopt the child.

“The adoption policy of CARA is quite stringent and no one can voluntarily opt for a particular child. It is like a lucky draw. After registration, the CARA authorities first issue a serial number and then share three pictures of children open for adoption with the couple or a single parent willing for adoption (boy only in case of a man opts for adoption). Parents have to select the child from the given option,” said a department employee.

He said stringent guidelines had been laid down to curb the sale of children. There had been incidents where adoption agencies allegedly charged a huge money from people in lieu of offering a particular child.

The employee said the adoption procedure was not over yet.

“In the next step, prospective adoptive parents would visit the children home to personally meet the child. Here, prospective parents can accept or even decline to adopt the child. In case of denial, the child will be again open for adoption,” said the employee.

Victim compensation scheme

Mahavir Singh, Member Secretary, State Legal Service Authority (SLSA), said the Finance Department had released Rs 70 lakh for the Victim Compensation Scheme. “It is currently with the UT authorities. We expect that in another couple of days, funds will be transferred to our account,” said Mahavir.

Wait for relief

The 15-year-old rape victim, who gave birth to a male child, will have to wait for compensation. According to sources in the Social Welfare Department, the accused who had raped the girl could not be nabbed. “The victim will be entitled for compensation if the police manage to nab the rapist or file a non-traceable report in the court,” said the sources.

Victim to shift base next year

Sources in the Social Welfare Department said the victim would be shifted to a new house next year. At present, the family is living in the servant quarter of a government official. Sources said the government official is going to be retired next year so the victim’s father had to vacate the house. It is learnt that the victim’s father has already arranged a government accommodation for the family. The sources said the victim would also study in a new school from the beginning of the new session.