Decision by early March in NRI kids custody row: Norway

Norway's child welfare service will take a decision by early March on whether the custody of the two Indian children, who have been separated from their parents, can be awarded to their uncle after which an arrangement will be put in place to take care of their needs back home.

The child welfare service in Stavanger said the two children from West Bengal, who have been living in a foster home, are developing well in it and that their parents "have the opportunity" to spend time in accordance with the decision of the county board for child and social welfare.

"The child welfare service aims to evaluate whether care of the two Indian children who have been placed in a Norwegian foster home can be awarded to the brother of the children's father," Gunnar Toresen, head of body said.

If the child welfare service concludes that care of the children can be awarded to the uncle, an arrangement will be put into place to ensure that the children's needs are met when they return to India. This will also entail clarification of the financing of the follow-up of the children in India, he said.

"We hope to clarify what follow-up measures can be implemented to safeguard the children's health by the middle of March," Toresen said. However, he said the final decision in the case will be taken by the district court and before anyone else can take over care of the children, the court must first revoke the order placing the children in the care of the public authorities.

Under the agreement arrived at last month following an eight month-long custody row, three-year-old Abhigyan and his one-year-old sister Aishwarya will be given to their uncle, Arunabhash who lives in Kolkata.

The agreement was firmed up by the Indian government through its mission in Norway with the Municipality of Norway, Norwegian Childcare Services, the parents and their lawyer.