Odisha-born woman in US alleges torture by adoptive parents; appeals to CM for rescue

A 21-year-old woman from Odisha, adopted by an American couple in 2018, has alleged that she is being tortured and forced to convert to Christianity by her adoptive parents in the United States, according to a report by The Times of India. She has appealed to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi for help to return to India, saying her life is in danger.

In a video shared on social media, the woman said she was adopted at the age of 14 and has since faced harassment. “They want me to accept Christianity, but as a Hindu, I cannot. My life is in danger,” she said. She also claimed that her adoptive mother made her do household chores without providing food.

Appealing directly to the Odisha government, she added, “It is my request to Odisha govt to take me home. I am still an Indian girl and not happy in the US.”


Following the viral video, district authorities in Balasore reached out to the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) and the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) to verify her claims and take necessary steps. “They will act as per rules,” Balasore Collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas said, confirming that SARA has already informed the Ministry of External Affairs about the matter.

(With TOI inputs)