The incident became public when local media carried stories alleging that the child’s death was a result of negligence.
Published Oct 08, 2025 | 1:35 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 08, 2025 | 1:35 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: On October 3, a two-month-old infant, Niroop, died at Anantapur’s Specialised Adoption Agency due to alleged negligence and staff conflicts. Public outrage and media reports prompted CM Naidu to order an inquiry. The Andhra government suspended Officer M Nagamani, citing lapses in protocol and gross negligence, pending disciplinary action under AP Civil Services Rules.
The Andhra Pradesh government has suspended Anantapur District Women and Child Welfare Officer M Nagamani, also the Empowerment Officer, after the death of two-month-old Niroop at the government-run Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA) in the district on October 3.
The infant’s death triggered public outrage, leading to action against the officer.
The child, under the care of the SAA, on the fateful day of 3 October, fell ill with diarrhoea and died the same day. In fact, the infant was medically stable though a little underweight.
The incident became public after local media carried stories alleging that the child’s death was the result of negligence, as the staff were quarrelling among themselves over some issue.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who was upset over the developments, ordered a thorough departmental inquiry and action against those responsible for the infant’s death.
Taking the cue, after receipt of the inquiry report from the district, the government issued G.O.Rt.No.137, suspending Nagamani pending disciplinary proceedings under Rule 8(1) of the A.P. Civil Services (CC&A) Rules, 1991. According to the government order, the boy’s death was allegedly due to “negligence and internal misunderstandings among the SAA staff.”
According to sources, the ayah (caregiver) concerned failed to feed the child adequately, which may have contributed to his death.
The delay in informing authorities and the alleged attempt to suppress the incident further aggravated the situation.
While suspending, the government noted serious lapses in protocol, including failure to provide immediate medical care or hospitalisation, no timely intimation of the child’s illness and death, and possible misconduct and monitoring failure by the district officer in charge. Citing gross negligence and violation of service conduct rules, the Women and Child Development Department suspended Nagamani.
She has been barred from leaving headquarters without permission and will receive subsistence allowance during her suspension period. The Director of WD&CW has been instructed to proceed with disciplinary action and ensure accountability.
The Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAAs) function under the Mission Vatsalya programme and are tasked with providing care, protection, and rehabilitation for orphaned, abandoned, or surrendered children.
October 3:
The infant, who was reportedly underweight but considered medically stable, fell ill with loose stools and died later that day, according to a report submitted by the District Women and Child Welfare Officer (DW&CW&EO) to the government.
October 4:
The DW&CW&EO, Anantapuramu, sent a detailed day-wise report to the state headquarters (RC.No.5/MissionVatsalya-SSA/ATP).
October 5:
The incident became public when local media carried stories alleging that the child’s death was a result of negligence and internal conflicts among the SAA staff.
October 7:
Taking cognisance of the media reports and the departmental inquiry, the Government of Andhra Pradesh issued G.O.Rt.No.137, suspending District Women and Child Welfare and Empowerment Officer M. Nagamani, pending disciplinary proceedings under Rule 8(1) of the A.P. Civil Services (CC&A) Rules, 1991.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
