Police rescued a one-month-old girl from Cuttack after her parents allegedly sold her to repay mounting debts.
The shocking case surfaced in Bayabanapur village of Bhadrak district when the infant’s grandmother lodged a complaint against her son and daughter-in-law.
A team led by Bhandaripokhari IIC Rajalakshmi Nayak raided the Rajabagicha area of Cuttack and recovered the child. Authorities admitted her to Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital for medical treatment. The infant will be produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which will decide whether she remains with family members or is placed under alternative care.
Investigators revealed that the unemployed father had borrowed thousands of rupees from villagers and failed to repay within the stipulated time. Facing pressure, the couple allegedly sold their daughter for ₹35,000 to a close relative—the child’s paternal aunt—residing in Cuttack.
The grandmother told police that on Monday morning, the parents left home claiming they were taking the baby for treatment. They returned late in the evening without the child. When questioned, they allegedly abused and threatened her. She suspected that the parents, along with the maternal grandmother, conspired to sell the infant.
During interrogation, the parents confessed to selling the baby. The mother admitted that since the relative had no children, they agreed to hand over their daughter for money.
Police confirmed that financial distress drove the couple to take this drastic step. The case has sparked outrage in Bhadrak, with locals demanding strict action against those involved.
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