The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad on Thursday heard a case of the custody of a newborn at a hospital after the child’s grandmother filed a petition alleging that the baby has not been handed over to the mother despite the completion of legal formalities.
The family has also accused a hospital staff member of demanding Rs 500,000 for the child’s release. The case was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Ali Waraich, who sought a report from the administration of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The court also directed Islamabad Police to visit the hospital and submit a report on the matter the same day. According to the petition filed by the child’s grandmother, Nasreen Bibi, through her counsel Mehtab Abbasi, the newborn was delivered by Mehnaz Bibi at PIMS. However, the family claimed that the baby has not been handed over to the mother since birth.
The petitioner told the court that all required legal procedures have been completed, but the hospital’s gynecology department has allegedly continued to keep the child in its custody without justification. The petition further alleged that a head nurse at the hospital demanded Rs 500,000 from the family in exchange for handing over the newborn. According to the family, the nurse allegedly stated that the baby would not be released to the mother unless the amount was paid.
The application also claimed that the family was threatened that the newborn could be handed over to unknown individuals if the payment was not made.
Seeking urgent intervention, the family requested the court to order the immediate transfer of the newborn to the mother. They argued that there was no legal reason to continue withholding the child after the completion of all formal requirements. Following the hearing, the court sought reports from both the hospital administration and Islamabad Police before proceeding further with the case.