Odisha woman stages fake pregnancy drama to avail govt benefits
By A Iswar Rao
Bhubaneswar, March 22: A woman in Odisha reportedly staged a fake pregnancy drama for a few months apparently to avail all the government benefits. This bizarre incident was reported on Tuesday from Birenpalli village under Mathili block in Malkangiri district.
The woman, identified as Kaushalya Bhuyan, even alleged her baby was stolen from the hospital after her false claim of being pregnant came to the fore during a health check-up.
According to sources, Kaushalya lied to her husband that she was pregnant and got her name registered with the local Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) worker. She used to visit the ANM worker every month and avail all the items supplied by the government under its welfare scheme meant for pregnant women, sources added.
However, her concocted story got exposed on Monday when she was admitted to the hospital for childbirth.
Her drama did not end there. She went on to allege that her baby went missing from the hospital.
Later, she confessed to her drama when the hospital authorities handed her over to the police. What is more surprising is that the woman was found to have undergone family planning surgery in 2017.
“I was taken to the labour room and I was told my delivery will be carried out after some time. When the nurse checked, she said my stomach had swollen due to gas,” said Kaushalya.
Kaushalya’s husband Bundu Poti said, “My wife’s ultrasound was done and they found no baby inside the womb.”
“She (Kaushalya) had already undergone family planning surgery. Then how can she become pregnant again? Her allegations of baby theft are baseless,” said Asamati Gouda, a local health worker.
Malkangiri Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) said an investigation into the matter had been ordered and necessary action would be taken as per the probe findings.
“When she was admitted to the hospital, the gynaecologist performed a check-up and ultrasound. However, the doctor found she was not pregnant. The lady too had a family planning operation in 2017. An inquiry will be carried out and necessary action will be initiated against whoever is found guilty,” said Dr Prafulla Kumar Nanda, Malkangiri CDMO.
