Parents seek their son lost during Godhra riots back from foster parents

Godhra riotsAhmedabad, July 25 : Parents of a nine-year-old boy in Gujarat are utterly disappointed after failing to get his custody from his foster parent.

The boy was missing since 2002 Gujarat riots and was traced by a voluntary organization here.

The family that adopted the child, Vivek Patni, has refused to part with him, as it nurtured him. The child too wants to continue to be with his foster parent.

A legal battle followed after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigated into the case and found clues suggesting the Shiekhs were Vivek’s biological parents.

The DNA test reconfirmed the findings, validating Sheikhs’ claims over Vivek whom they say was actually Muzaffar Sheikh and not Vivek Patni.

The findings encouraged the Sheikhs to lay claim on their claimed son. They filed a case against the Patni family but the court on Wednesday gave the child’s custody to the Patnis, as per the child''s wish.

"The judge asked the child with whom he wanted to live. He was quite young then so he does not recognize his original parents. Thus, he said, he wanted to live with his present parent. But I want him back. Even the judge did not take pity. I am thankful to them (Patnis) who took care of my child, but one day I want my child back," said Mohammad Salimbhai Shiekh, the Muzaffar Sheikh alias Vivek’s father

Jebunissa, the biological mother of the child, said that she endured a lot of trauma during the six-years of wait. She said she would seek justice in the High Court and get her son back at any cost.

"It is not about any money that I should forget him. If this court is not able to get him back to me, I will move the High Court," said Jebunissa, the biological mother of Muzaffar Sheikh alias mother.

Meanwhile, Veenaben Patni, who has already lost her husband Vikrambhai Patni, is not in a mood to give the child away to his biological parents.

"I want to keep him, I will get him educated. I send him to school and he can get the degree that he wants. I am working hard for him, I will do everything for him," said Veenaben Patni.

The child too is happy to remain with his foster mother.

Vivek was just two-and-a-half-year-old when Vikram and Meena Patni adopted him. He, presently, has no recollection of his parents other than that of Veenaben and Vikrambhai who raised him in the last six years.

"I will do any work and I will live with my mother. I am studying in third class at present," said Vivek Vikrambai Patni, the child. (ANI)