In Hyderabad, a man was apprehended by Bandlaguda police for selling his 18-day-old daughter to a childless couple from Karnataka for Rs 1.5 lakh. The incident came to light after the baby's mother, Asma Begum, reported the matter to the authorities. The newborn was swiftly rescued and reunited with her mother within 24 hours of the complaint.
The father, identified as Asif (38), a daily-wage laborer in Bandlaguda, reportedly sold the baby due to financial difficulties faced by his family. Asif agreed to the transaction and warned his wife, Asma Begum, not to disclose the matter to anyone. The couple already has an eight-year-old son, and Asif made the decision to sell their daughter despite having another child.
The buyers, Minal Saad (45) and his wife from Kalaburagi in Karnataka, were desperate for a child. Saad's relative, Pasha, suggested acquiring a baby through illicit means and connected them with Chand Sultana, a mediator based in Abdullapurmet. Sultana facilitated the transaction by contacting Asif and arranging the sale.
Upon receiving Asma's complaint, Bandlaguda police took swift action, registering a case under Sections 81 and 82 of the Juvenile Justice Act, along with other relevant sections pertaining to kidnapping and child trafficking. A police team was dispatched to Karnataka to rescue the infant.
Following the rescue operation, the authorities arrested Asif, Minal Saad, Pasha, and Chand Sultana. While Sultana had no prior criminal record, investigations are ongoing to uncover further details surrounding the case.
This distressing incident underscores the severity of child trafficking and the importance of stringent enforcement measures to safeguard vulnerable children from exploitation.