Poverty-stricken woman sells her baby for Rs 15,000

Kolkata: Five persons, including a woman, who was the mother of a 20-day-old baby, were arrested allegedly for selling the baby to a couple on Wednesday at Baruipur in South 24-Parganas.

According to police, on Wednesday, a person, identified as Tapas Naskar of Paschim Madhabpur in Baruipur, lodged a complaint stating that a woman, identified as Puja Sardar, sold her 20-day old baby to an issueless couple of Basanti for Rs 15,000. As soon as the complaint was lodged, police went to Puja's house and asked about her baby.

As she failed to tell the whereabouts of the newborn, the police detained her. Later she stated that her 20-day old baby had been sold to a couple by her grandmother Karuna Naskar. Following her statement, the police detained Naskar and came to know that she had fixed the deal through another woman, identified as Ujjala Bachar.

Later police detained Bachar and came to know that the baby was sold to a couple residing in Basanti. On Wednesday night, the police conducted a raid at the house of Biswadeb Sardar and Sarmistha Sardar and recovered the infant.

All the accused persons were detained and brought to Baruipur police station for further questioning.

During the interrogation, the police came to know that Puja had agreed to sell her baby because of poverty.

She was divorced approximately eight months ago and was living with her grandmother. It was Naskar's plan to sell the baby. She had convinced Puja and asked Bachar to look for an issueless couple,who are searching for a baby for adoption.

Later all five accused persons were arrested and the baby was sent to a hospital for medical checkup.