Couple sells infant daughter for Rs 35,000 to repay loan; detained

Balasore: A one-month-old girl was allegedly sold by her parents for Rs 35,000 in Bhadrak district’s Bayanbanapur village to repay a loan of Rs 55,000, police said.The case came to light after the infant’s grandmother, Sabitri Das, 55, lodged a police complaint on Tuesday. She alleged that her son Sipu Das and daughter-in-law, Reena Das, took their child out on Monday, claiming they were taking her to a hospital. However, they returned without the baby.“When I asked about my granddaughter, they scolded me and even tried to beat me with sticks,” Sabitri alleged in her complaint. She further claimed that her son, daughter-in-law, and Reena’s mother had conspired to either sell or kill the child.Acting on the complaint, Bhandaripokhari police registered a case and launched an investigation. The child’s parents and Reena’s mother have been detained for interrogation in connection with the incident.Reena Alias Ranjita has two sons aged 10 and 12 from her previous marriage. This is Sipu alias Swastik’s first marriage.Sipu stated that he sold his daughter to repay a loan taken from a relative and others. He claimed that due to repeated pressure from lenders, he was compelled to sell her for Rs 35,000. Reena claimed her husband had borrowed around Rs 55,000 from different people. As he failed to arrange the money for repayment, she alleged that he forced her to sell the child.Sources said the infant was allegedly sold in Rajabagicha area of Cuttack, though police officers said the information is yet to be confirmed. Efforts are underway to trace and rescue the child with the assistance of Childline and other child protection agencies.ASP Arup Abhishek Behera said, “We have received a complaint regarding the alleged sale of a newborn. An investigation is in progress. We are taking the help of Childline and other agencies to ascertain the facts and trace the child,” he said.Villagers condemned the alleged act, calling it a grave betrayal of parental responsibility. Prashant Sahu, a villager, said the child’s grandmother had first approached locals, following which the matter was reported to police. He demanded strict action against those involved and immediate recovery of the child.Senior advocate Gadadhar Bal said such incidents underline the vulnerability of infants and the urgent need for stricter enforcement of child protection laws. “Selling a newborn is a serious crime and a gross violation of child rights. Those responsible must face stringent punishment,” he said.