Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh):- Rajesh Mishra BJP MLA has landed in a controversy after he took a baby from a child Shelter without any paperwork, attended his son’s wedding, and turned back the baby a day later.
This incident happened last week but came to light on Saturday evening when a child shelter official spoke about it.
In this case, the child is a “miracle baby” who was rescued after being buried alive in a pottery in the cremation ground last year.
Primrose Edmond Superintendent, of Warne Baby Fold shelter, said “Last Sunday, BJP MLA Rajesh Mishra came and took the baby with him without any paperwork or permission. He went to his son’s wedding, took photos with her without any Covid-19 precautions, and returned her to the center a day later.”
Primrose Edmond also said “No one is allowed to take the baby away. Only parents registered with the Central Adoption Resource Authority can adopt and then take the child. I was not in a position to say no when he took her because of his political influence.”
BJP MLA Rajesh Mishra said he only meant to take care of the baby. “I have always been concerned about her. She was sick that day. I got a call that she was getting seizures. So, I went to the hospital with 20-25 men straight from my son’s wedding. I got her medicines and then came back to the wedding.”
Rajesh Mishra had taken photos while holding the baby during the weeding and had introduced the child as an “adopted daughter”
Rajesh Mishra son also posted photos where he was holding the child and another photo where Rajesh Mishra was carrying the child. Both Rajesh Mishra and the baby was not wearing a mask.
Earlier, Rajesh Mishra said on social media that he had taken the child home and was bringing her up as his own child. He also said that he calls her ‘Sita’ and he is her ‘Janak’.
Officials, however, stated that Rajesh Mishra had not legally adopted the child.
Dr. Vishesh Gupta, chairperson of the UP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights said “as per law, a baby cannot just be handed over to anyone. The responsibility lies with the child shelter. Here, the Warne Baby Fold child shelter staff are at fault. They should have informed the district administration or the central working committee members if someone was pressurizing them. The baby was clearly put at risk of infection. I will take appropriate action and write to the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights in this regard.
The controversial BJP MLA, also know as Pappu Bharatul has 22 cases registered against him.
