Jajpur, May 23: In a shocking incident reported from Badasuar panchayat in Odisha’s Jajpur district, a woman reportedly sold her seven year-old son for mere Rs 18,000.
As per reports, the incident took place in Totasahi under Badasuar panchayat within Jajpur town police limits and came to the fore after the boy’s upset father and his family members contacted the local authorities seeking help.
According to reports, Prasant Parida and his wife Puja were having problematic phase in their marriage. When things got worse, Puja went to live with her parents along with their three-year-old son Sairam. Four years later, Puja returned to Prasant, but without Sairam. When Prasant asked where their son was, Puja stunned him by saying she had sold Sairam for Rs 18,000.
Four years ago, my daughter-in-law left the house after a big fight where she attacked me and even threatened to hurt my son. She took Rs 17,000 with her and destroyed her phone to cut off all contact. Now, after coming back, she says she sold my grandson, said Prasant's mother.
Prasant also confirmed the claims and said that Puja had been living separately for four years. "My brother-in-law saw her at someone else's house and brought her back. When I asked about our son, she first said she sold him for Rs 20,000. Later, she changed her story and said she sold him for Rs 18,000. I'm still in shock," he added.
Feeling upset and helpless, Prasant, who used to wash dishes at a hotel to eke out a living, asked the district Collector for help on Wednesday. He and his mother also said that after admitting to selling their son, his wife has been absconding.
According to officials, Collector P. Anvesha Reddy has asked the ADM to look into the incident. The District Child Protection Unit has also been informed to investigate and provide a report as soon as possible.
