KOLKATA: Exactly a month after the 14-year-old lost his mother, cousin and aunt, Pratip Dey is still to find a safe home as he continues to recover from his wounds. He was admitted to the hospital on Feb 18 with injuries he had sustained from the attacks carried out on him by his uncle Prasun Dey at their Tangra residence and the subsequent car collision a few hours later on EM Bypass.
On Tuesday, Ananya Chakraborti, the advisor to the West Bengal Commission of Child Rights (WBCCR), said that efforts to convince his distant grandparents at Behala (aunt Sudesna’s parents) have failed, adding they had refused to take the child in their care. The development comes amidst reports that at least four unrelated families have expressed their willingness to adopt him. Several families have shown their interest in providing foster care to the child.
However, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), led by chairperson Mahua Sur Ray, has clarified that they cannot take any decision until the police arrest the minor’s father, Pranoy. Pranoy is presently admitted at NRS Hospital and is not officially named in the FIR. “We have informed the investigating officer of Tangra PS to inform us whenever they take legal action against Pranoy. The child will then be taken into our custody, and we will follow legal steps. Merely expressing interest in adoption or providing foster care is not enough. We will need a lot of background checks and multiple legal procedures before we can see if he can be placed for adoption or under foster care,” said a CWC member.
Pratip had earlier informed WBCCR members that he desperately wanted to return home. “He has no grandparents of his own. But he has stated his wish to stay with the parents of his aunt Sudesna. The state has a sponsorship scheme in such circumstances. Additionally, the state will do everything to find him his home…we do not want him to stay at a shelter home,” said a police officer, adding that no relative had turned up to meet him at the hospital. “Our efforts to contact his relatives in Mumbai have also failed,” said the officer.
