4-year-old’s mental ailment triggers divorce proceedings between her parents:Family court counsellors say the case is first of its kind; both mother, father abandon kid

A deeply sensitive case has surfaced at the Bhopal Family Court, where a four-year-old mentally challenged girl has been abandoned by both her parents, the counsellors reported on Saturday. The child, who is entirely dependent on her mother for food and basic care, has been left without support as her mother has declined to take responsibility, the counsellors claimed. Her father too has refused to raise her, leading to divorce proceedings between the couple. Parents blame child for marital breakdown The couple, both businesspersons, filed for divorce citing the child as the reason for their separation. In the court, the mother refused to take custody, while the girl’s father also expressed unwillingness to keep her. According to the counsellors, after counselling sessions, the court temporarily directed the father to keep the child, as the mother has already moved out of her marital home. Adding to this, the counsellors said they are in a shock at the unprecedented situation, as it is the first time they had witnessed parents disowning their own biological child in this manner. Woman alleges in-laws taunted her after birthing girl The woman alleged that her in-laws constantly taunted her after the birth of the child, making her life intolerable. She elaborated that the first two years of marriage were peaceful, but once the daughter was born, her husband and in-laws accused her of being responsible for the child’s condition. Distressed by the emotional abuse, she returned to her parental home. Furthermore, she insisted that she could no longer endure the mental harassment she faced in her matrimonial household. Father claims girl’s treatment underway The girl’s father, however, argued that he has not abandoned his daughter entirely. He claimed he had been providing medical treatment for her condition, but the lack of improvement has left him feeling helpless. He emphasised that the child requires her mother’s presence more than his, yet she has refused to accept custody. At the same time, he admitted he no longer wishes to live with his wife. More counselling sessions to be held, confirms Counsellor Counsellor at the Bhopal family court, Shail Awasthi, told Bhaskar English that both parents have distanced themselves from the child, leaving the court with limited options. For now, the girl has been sent to her father’s home. The couple will undergo further counselling sessions before the court makes a final decision regarding divorce and custody.