Sassoon docs have seen abandoned boy before

Three days after MiD DAY reported about a handicapped boy abandoned in Raviwar Peth by a rag-picker couple, police investigations have revealed that his family may have dumped him because it got fed up of his medical problems.

The boy, believed to have cerebral palsy and a mental handicap as well, is currently undergoing treatment at Sassoon hospital's paediatric ward. He is believed to be between five and seven years of age.

"He gets convulsions and needs continued treatment. He also needs to be assessed for mental handicaps, and then he will be handed over to the police," said a doctor at the paediatric ward.

Assistant PI Shahbuddin Mulla, who had admitted the boy to the hospital along with MiD DAY reporters, said it may not have been the boy's first visit to Sassoon.

"The doctors here told us that about one to two months ago this boy had been admitted to the hospital. At that time, he had some minor ailments and was brought by his family, who didn't seem to be rag-pickers," said Mulla, who is attached to the Khadak police station. "Now we are going through hospital records to ascertain if the boy was really brought in and who are his parents."

The officer said efforts were also on to trace the rag-picker couple by questioning residents near Badriya High School in Raviwar Peth, where the boy was found abandoned.