A painful incident took place in the Derebisi neighborhood of Odisha. Here, Varsha Priyadarshini, a pregnancy clerk in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, lost her seven-month-old baby. Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Snehlata Sahu allegedly harassed her and did not take leave or provide medical help even after suffering labor pains. After this incident, an atmosphere of anger spread. There were calls for immediate action on the matter.
The victim, Varsha Priyadarshini, a female clerk, said she had been facing such harassment for the past three years. Therefore my child died. This harassment had a direct impact on my children. Ms. CDPO bothers me. After I became pregnant, the harassment increased further. I had to face a lot of problems but I was still working.
Varsha Priyadarshini said she has been a victim of harassment by the CDPO for the past three years. Harassment increases during pregnancy. Despite the pain of labor, CDPO Snehlata Sahu was not allowed to leave the office and no arrangement was made for any kind of medical help.
Also read: A woman was traveling in a bus when she started experiencing labor pains on the way… and gave birth to a son even before reaching the hospital.
The victim stated that not only did he ignore my questions, but he also reacted rudely when I talked to him about the incident. The family was subsequently informed. They took him to a private hospital where doctors confirmed the fetus was dead.
After the case, a video went viral on social media, in which Varsha and her family members can be seen arguing with the CDPO in the office. The incident attracted attention after the video surfaced.
Deputy Minister Takes Action… CDPO Removed
In response, the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida took immediate action and sacked CDPO Snehlata Sahu and ordered the tax collector to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. The Collector said that after investigation, strict action will be taken in the matter.
Block development officer Anirudh Behera also said that after investigation, the matter will be referred to higher authorities. Basha also complained to the police commissioner over the incident and demanded strict action against the accused woman police officer.