A couple in Maharashtra, India, have been arrested after allegedly selling their one-month-old son for Rs120,000 to buy mobile phones and a gold chain, according to Indian media reports.
Police in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar launched investigations on September 20 after the mother reported that she had been assaulted. During the investigation, officers discovered that the couple, who were living together in Mukundwadi, had allegedly sold their infant son.
According to police, the baby was initially sold to an intermediary, identified as Seema Reshwal, for Rs120,000. Reshwal allegedly sold the child to Sangeeta Avhad, a resident of Padegaon, for Rs270,000.Investigators said the baby was later sold again for Rs350,000 to Suresh Guntuka, who was described in reports as an alleged fake doctor.
The infant reportedly changed hands four times before being traced more than 550 kilometres away in Hyderabad.Police eventually rescued the child and arrested seven people, including the parents and alleged intermediaries involved in the transactions.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the alleged child-trafficking network and the circumstances surrounding the baby’s repeated transfers.
