M'lore:  Mother Sells Two-month Old Child for Money, Retrieves Later with CWC Help

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 28: About three weeks ago, a woman from Kodikal here had sold her two-month old baby boy to a childless family from Kerala for Rs 30,000. After the father of the child Prashant filed a complaint in this connection with the Child Welfare Committee, the committee arranged for the safe return of the child to its original parents on Friday February 27. Prashant was out of town when the sale materialized.

It is learnt that the CWC accidentally came to know of the incident, while examining Baby, mother of the child, in a sexual abuse case. After they learnt that she was hospitalized and had a small child, enquires were made with the hospital where she had been treated. After realizing that she was admitted for some other treatment and the baby was no more with her, they realized that something was fishy.

Picture for Illustration Purposes Only

Baby (38), a resident of Kodikal here, had sold her child to a family from Kanhangad Kerala, for Rs 30,000. Reportedly, a person who functioned as mediator pocketed another Rs 10,000. The mother, it is learnt, had decided to sell the child as she badly needed money to treat her liver disorder caused by excessive drinking. The child's father Prashant (35), who worked in Udupi, did not get to know about the sale of the child, as his wife gave various reasons about the child not being at home during his visits.

After Prashant came to know what had happened, he sought assistance of Urwa police station to get his child back. However, he did not get much help from the station. Someone advised him later, to seek help from CWC.

After a complaint was received, the CWC promptly acted, and asked Urwa police station to investigate the complaint and submit a report thereof within 24 hours. An extension of 24 hours was also granted thereafter, as the policemen said the child was not well. At about 1.45 pm on Friday, the child was presented before the committee, said Committee member Geo D'Silva. Those who took the child with the help of an advocate, had recorded the agreement in stamp paper, which was found to be invalid as procedures as per the laws governing child adoption were not complied with.

Parents of the child Prashant and Baby apologized for their act. Those who illegally bought the child were also orally warned, it is learnt. The court got bonds executed by both the parties before releasing the child to its parents.

It is also learnt that the parents made part payment of the amount received to the buyers and promised to pay the balance within a month.