Bhubaneswar: In a distressing appeal that has stirred widespread concern, an Odia girl adopted by an American couple has alleged severe abuse and coercion in the United States, urging the Odisha government to intervene and facilitate her return home. The girl, identified as Puja alias Sejal, claimed in an emotional video that she is being physically and mentally tortured by her foster mother and fears for her life.
Emotional plea goes viral
Puja, who was adopted by an American couple in 2018, broke down in a viral video circulating on social media as she pleaded for help from the Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. “I am tortured a lot here. I want to return to Odisha and find my real parents,” she said, adding that she has been made to perform excessive household chores and subjected to constant harassment.
She further alleged that her foster mother has been pressuring her to convert to Christianity against her will. In the video, she also mentioned that she has been living in fear since her visa expired in 2023, leaving her without legal protection in the US.
Allegations of violence and religious coercion
According to Puja, her foster mother’s abuse includes verbal threats and attempts to harm her physically. “They have tried to kill her twice,” claimed Amar Das, a friend of Puja who helped bring her ordeal to light by sharing her video online. Das said he had been in contact with her through social media and was deeply disturbed by her condition.
The allegations have prompted growing demands on social media for immediate action from the Indian government, particularly from the Odisha Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
From Nilgiri to the US: Puja’s journey
Reports reveal that Puja had a tragic early life. She reportedly went missing as a child while travelling on a train and was later rescued by Childline. Following her rescue, she stayed at a girls’ shelter home in Nilgiri, Balasore district, before being transferred to a children’s home in Naharankanta, Bhubaneswar, where she continued her education.
In 2018, she was legally adopted by the American couple through the due process and relocated to the United States under an international adoption programme. While initial reports described her as being happy and well-settled, her recent claims have painted a drastically different picture.
Authorities yet to confirm details
As the video gained traction online, the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) and Childline India Foundation have reportedly begun preliminary inquiries. Officials said they are awaiting confirmation of the girl’s identity and adoption records.
A senior official of the Women and Child Development Department said, “We have taken note of the video and are in touch with relevant authorities, including the Indian Embassy in the US, to verify the authenticity of the claims. Once verified, steps will be taken for her safety and possible repatriation.”
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are expected to reach out to Inter-Country Adoption Authority (CARA) to trace the adoptive parents and initiate a formal response through diplomatic channels.
Odisha government urged to intervene
Several activists and social organisations in Odisha have appealed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani to act urgently. They have demanded that the MEA ensure Puja’s safe rescue and repatriation, citing the seriousness of her allegations.
Activist Pradipta Mishra said, “The video shows a child who is clearly traumatised. The Odisha government must coordinate with central agencies and the Indian Embassy in the US to bring her back safely.”
Conclusion
As the Odisha government and national authorities begin looking into the matter, the priority remains to verify Puja’s safety and legal status. The case underscores the importance of monitoring international adoptions and ensuring continued welfare checks for adopted children abroad.
If her allegations are verified, the case could spark a wider review of adoption oversight mechanisms and raise questions about post-adoption monitoring in foreign countries. For now, Puja’s desperate appeal continues to echo across social media, drawing public empathy and calls for swift action.