Madras High Court today directed the government to set up a committee, comprising state Health Secretary, Dean of Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai District collector and Police Commissioner, for drawing up a foolproof plan for ensuring that child thefts do not take place in the hospital, visited by 32000 persons a day.
A Division Bench of the Court's Madurai Bench, comprising Justice S.Nagamuthu and Justice V.S.Ravi, who were hearing the case of a child, which was missing for more than two years, said they were not satisfied by the Dean's report and police report on security arrangements in the hospital.
The judges directed the officials to consider the possibility of installing Radio Frequency Identification system that could prevent child lifting from hospitals.Similar equipment are installed in malls to prevent thefts.
The judges said all aspects could be discussed by the committee, and the deliberations could be conveyed to the court on October 10.
The bench said nine children of 42 children that went missing from government hospitals had not been traced,and the officials had reported "Not traceable".
Now the officials should consider giving compensation for those who lost their children under Victims' compensation scheme,the judges said.
However, officials said they should have to consult higher-ups before giving any commitment on compensation.
About two years ago, 20-year-old Meenakshi Dinakaran's infant was allegedly abducted by a woman at the Rajaji Hospital. The woman has filed a petition before the Madurai bench demanding Rs 20 lakh compensation.The case has been handed over to CB-CID for investigation.
Meanwhile the Dean submitted that security steps, including installing of CCTV cameras, had been taken up in the hospital.But visitors were not cooperative.
The Advocate Commissioner, Meenakshi, in her report referred to the bad hygienic condition and security prevailing in the hospital. She said the babies were not properly given ID bands. Monkeys were coming into the maternity wards.There was no proper security at the maternity ward.
