Jajpur, Oct 2: Odisha police on Tuesday rescued a one-month-old baby boy who was allegedly sold to a childless couple by his parents for Rs 7,000 in Dasarathapur area of the district.
The incident was reported from Jajpur district. The baby’s mother sought the help of Jajpur Town police to rescue her child over a week after selling to a childless couple at Rs 7000.
According to reports, Bikram Munda and his wife Janga live near Biraja temple in Jajpur Town and both work as daily wagers. Janga delivered her third child, a boy, last month.
Due to poverty, the couple was unsure of taking care of their third child and reportedly sold the newborn to a childless couple, Kalia Jena and his wife of Haladipada village under Dasarathapur block, for Rs 7,000 through a middleman around 10 days back.
However, Janga’s motherhood was crying inside that changed her mind after some days and she asked Bikram to bring her baby back.
The couple along with the middleman went to Kalia’s house and wanted the boy back in return of the money. However, Kalia reportedly refused to return the baby following which the couple sought help of Jajpur Town police on Monday.
Subsequently, police informed the district child protection officer (DCPO). A team comprising the DCPO, police and Childline officials went to Haladipada village and rescued the infant.
We have rescued the infant. He will be produced before the child welfare committee after which we will decide the next course of action, said Childline coordinator Barendra Krushna Das.
Though no arrest has been made in connection with the incident, further investigation is on. The middleman is on the run and efforts are on to nab him soon, Jajpur Town police IIC SK Patra said.
