Authorities rescued a baby boy sold seven months ago in Sundargarh district. Childline officials recovered the infant from a locked house in Bargarh after tracing the chain of illegal transactions.
The case began on August 31 when a woman from Patamunda in Koida block delivered the baby at Rourkela Government Hospital. Reports alleged that the child was sold for Rs 50,000. Following media coverage, the Child Welfare Committee and Koida CDPO formed a team to investigate.
Investigators discovered that middlemen purchased the baby from the mother and later sold him to a childless couple in Bargarh for Rs 1.90 lakh. After months of tracking, officials raided the couple’s house and rescued the baby.
The Bargarh Child Welfare Committee informed its counterpart in Sundargarh and confirmed that the child would be handed over to the district team. Officials stated that the baby has not yet reached Sundargarh headquarters but will be brought soon.
Authorities emphasised that the rescue marked the end of a prolonged investigation and assured that further details will be shared once the child is safely relocated.
