Children missing: HC directs top govt officials to file report

Annoyed by a report submitted by a lower level official on steps taken to prevent missing of children from maternity wards of government hospitals, a the Madras High Court here directed Health Secretary, Home Secretary and DGP to submit their reports before October 23.
Justices V Dhanabalan and M Duraiswamy said, "This is a case wherein officials should show utmost urgency and prevent child thefts. They should tell about the safety measures taken in all the government hospitals. The three top officials of the respective department should file their report."
The court also rejected the report submitted by the Dean of the Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital saying "it is due to his ineffective and inefficient administration children went missing. We are not concerned about his report"

The Judges were also irked by the report submitted by the Deputy Secretary of Home and said "when the court directs particular officers to file a report, how can a Deputy Secretary file a report on behalf of Principal Home Secretary and Principal Health Secretary".
The Deputy Home Secretary cannot misuse his power and submit a report. "We feel it is inappropriate for the Deputy Secretary to file the report", the judges said on a Habeas Corpus Petition filed by T Meenakshi, whose baby went missing from Government Rajaji Hospital here on June 15, a day after she delivered the baby.

The Judges said "it is not the case of one or two children going missing. Eight children were reported missing in two years. It is a very sensitive case. No substitute officer can file the report", the judges said.
The Court had earlier directed police to submit a report on the number of infants went missing from the Government Rajaji Hospital here in recent years.