New Delhi, 1 October 2004
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance based on reports that appeared in the media on 14 September 2004, of a woman in Bihar who was forced to sell her son on account of hunger and debt. It was reported that after the recent death of her two-year-old child Manish, Dharani decided to save her two-month-old baby boy and the rest of her family. She had left home with the child and returned without him to clear Rs. 5,000/- of the family debt after having sold the child for Rs.6,000/-. The report also quoted her husband Lal Babu Paswan, a TB patient, as saying that he beat his wife and the neighbours also thrashed her. It was alleged that Lal Babu Paswan has not been able to access the Government's free T.B. treatment and that his wife has been missing. He now has only his seven-year-old daughter to take care of him.
The news reports further stated that Lal Babu Paswan is a recipient of neither the Red Card nor a beneficiary under the Anapurna scheme and that Doctors suspect him of having a TB relapse after 15 years. It is alleged that the Government dispensary declined to get his X-ray and blood test done free of cost as is required in the case of tuberculosis and they asked him to get the examinations done at his own cost.
Dr. Justice A.S.Anand, Chairperson has directed that a copy of the news story be sent to the Chief Secretary of Bihar and the District Magistrate, Vaishali, Bihar to look into the report and submit their comments within four weeks.
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