After 18 Years of Childlessness, Couple Buys Newborn for Rs 1.7 Lakh in Hyderabad; Baby Rescued
Hyderabad, June 10(TNT): The desperation of a childless couple to become parents and the vulnerability of a family that gave away a disabled newborn have come under the spotlight after authorities uncovered alleged illegal baby sale involving a 12-day-old infant in Telangana.
The newborn boy, born on May 28 at a private hospital in Tukkuguda, was allegedly sold for Rs 1.70 lakh through middlemen and handed over to a couple who had been yearning for a child for nearly 18 years, A. Ramulu, Inspector of Police, Kulsumpura Police Station, Hyderabad, said in a release on Wednesday.
According to the inquiry conducted by the Women and Child Welfare Department, Madhusudhan and Meena, who had remained childless for almost two decades, allegedly approached an acquaintance seeking help to find a child.
The inquiry revealed that mediators facilitated the transfer of the infant, who was reportedly born with a physical disability, from his biological parents to the couple.
The transaction allegedly took place at JP Dargah in Kothur mandal of Ranga Reddy district, where Rs 1.70 lakh changed hands in the presence of the mediators.
Authorities said the transfer was carried out without following the legal adoption procedures mandated under law.
The case surfaced after the Women and Child Welfare Department received information about the alleged illegal transfer and initiated an inquiry.
Officials subsequently traced the infant and produced him before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Hyderabad.
The baby has since been shifted to Shishu Vihar in Ameerpet, where he is receiving care, protection and supervision under child welfare authorities.
Police have registered a case under Section 143(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 80 and 81 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
As the alleged transaction took place within the jurisdiction of Nandigama Police Station in Ranga Reddy district, the Zero FIR registered at Kulsumpura Police Station has been transferred to Nandigama Police for re-registration and further investigation.
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