“Caring” Couple Adopts 10-Year-Old Chandigarh Rape Survivor’s Baby

The rape survivor, who had been repeatedly raped by her two uncles, delivered a baby girl in August 2017.

The 10-year-old rape survivor’s plea for an abortion, in July 2017, was rejected by the Supreme Court. Image used for representational purpose.

(Photo: The News Minute)

A little over three months after a 10-year-old rape survivor gave birth to a girl at a Chandigarh hospital, a couple from Maharashtra has adopted the baby.

The couple came to know about the child through the Central Adoption Resource Authority's website, which had put up details after her birth on 17 August, Hindustan Times reported.

The 10-year-old was repeatedly raped by her two uncles, leading to one of them impregnating her. The Supreme Court had rejected the 10-year-old’s plea for an abortion in July 2017.

Hindustan Times, quoting sources, claimed the baby's adoptive parents were a “caring and a well-to-do” family. The report added that the couple brought clothes for the baby when they came to receive her.

A number of rumours that the child was being adopted by a foreign couple were laid to rest by Child Welfare Committee chairman Sangeeta Vardhan.

The family came to take the baby home a few days ago. Details of the adoption will be kept confidential to respect the couple’s privacy. This is also in the child’s best interests.

Sangeeta Vardhan, Chairman, Child Welfare Committee

A fast-track trial court in Chandigarh on 2 November, sentenced the girl’s two uncles to life imprisonment for raping their 10-year-old niece.

Vardhan said that while some paperwork is still pending, the pre-adoption undertaking was signed and the formalities have been completed.

After the rape survivor’s family refused to take care of the baby, she was sent to Ashiana, a specialised adoption agency, in Chandigarh.

Vardhan added that the entire team at Ashiana, was happy to see the child receive a loving home and a chance at a bright future.

Vardhan added that the agency would continue to monitor the child’s growth and care under the adoptive parents and report every six months about her for two years.

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