US: Indian couple allowed to meet son once a week

An Indian couple, who have been caught in a legal battle in the United States over the custody of their one-year-old son, have been granted permission by a New Jersey court to meet the child once a week, with the next hearing in the case scheduled for November 1.

Debashish Saha, 28, and Pamela Saha, 25, were denied custody of their son Indrashish after he sustained serious head injuries at his home in August.

The Sahas told the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency and the doctors treating their child that he had hurt himself when he fell off the bed while playing.

However, the agency said the Sahas failed to take proper care of their child, who suffers from 'Shaken Baby Syndrome.'

Indrashish received treatment at the Children's Specialised Hospital in New Jersey and the Sahas were not given permission to meet their son while in hospital.

Sources said that in a September 14 court hearing, the judge has allowed the Sahas to meet Indrashish once a week. The next hearing in the case is set for November 1.

Sahas' attorney has also sought the help of a doctor to contest the 'Shaken Baby Syndrome' charge. The Indian Consulate is trying to put the lawyer in contact with a medical expert, sources said.

Earlier, Sahas were also ordered to identify a relative in the US who could take care of Indrashish, whose custody will go to foster parents if the Sahas do not find any relative as guardians for the little boy.

Saha, who came to the US nearly a month ago on a work visa, had said he does not want his child to be given to foster parents and wants to send him back to India.

Last week, Saha had strongly denied allegations that he had neglected his child's care.