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Court directs SP to act in minors' forced conversion

The Orissa high court has directed the superintendent of police, Bhubaneswar, to inquire into an alleged attempt by a father to forcibly convert his two minor children.

Acting upon a writ petition filed by the Centre for Child and Women Development secretary Sadashiv Swain, a division bench comprising acting chief justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice P K Mishra, yesterday directed the SP to submit his report within a week.

The petition also alleged that the mother of the twin, who died of cancer last month, was buried at the Satyanagar burial ground in Bhubaneswar by her husband despite opposition from the children. It further demanded that the body of the deceased be exhumed and cremated as per Hindu rites.

According to the petitioner, the 17-year-old twin -- Gautam and Gauri -- were being forced by their father Giridhari Baral to adopt Christianity but Gauri fled from their home and lodged a complaint with the Chandra Sekharpur police station at Bhubaneswar.

UNI

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