The protracted custody battle over a two-year-old baby in Hyderabad ended on Wednesday with the Andhra Pradesh State Women's Commission ordering a couple to hand over baby Nikita to her biological mother Nazia.

A childless woman, Sulochana, had adopted the baby when her biological mother, suffering from mental problems, deserted the baby soon after birth. However recently she was released from the Yerragadda mental hospital after treatment and reclaimed the baby.

But Sulochna refused to hand over the baby and the matter went before the Women's Commission. Chairperson Mary Ravindernarth had earlier passed an interim order that the baby should remain with her adopted parents and asked Nazia to produce a medical certificate about her mental fitness to bring up the girl.

Nazia produced the certificate and Ravindernath passed an order that the baby be handed over to the biological mother. Emtional scenes were witnessed, when Sulochna broke down and wept (inset) while handing over the baby to Nazia (main image).

However in the two years since Nikita was adopted, Sulochna was blessed with her own daughter. Sulochna said that Nikita had proved lucky for her and changed her life.

Photograph: Snaps India