Bhadradri Kothagudem Collector D. Anudeep has ordered an enquiry into the alleged sale of a baby boy in a private hospital in Aswaraopet in Telangana.
Following the news published in ‘The Hindu’ on the sale of the newborn, Mr. Anudeep has directed the women development and child welfare (WD&CW), medical and health and the police departments to probe into the incident and submit reports.
The Aswaraopeta police have registered a case against the baby’s grandmother Ganta Mary, G. Arun Kumar, RMP Bujji Babu, caretaker in the hospital Prasanthi and mediator Srinivas.
Following a complaint lodged by Anganwadi teacher P. Vijaya Lakshmi, the Aswaraopet police (of Bhadradri Kothagudem district) registered a case against the accused under Section 81 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and took up investigation.
G. Chilakamma, a native of Allipalli village in Chintalapudi mandal of West Godavari district delivered a baby boy on March 3. The baby’s father G. Arun Kumar and grandmother G. Mary allegedly sold him away through caretaker Prasanthi, RMP doctor Bujji Babu and other mediators.
Bujji Babu’s wife Surekha and another woman Rani were also allegedly involved in the case. The 27-day-old baby was reportedly sold five times while ₹5 lakh changed hands during the process, the officials said.
West Godavari district Child Welfare Committee (CWC) chairperson B. Rebka Rani said that the CWC had not ordered any inquiry as the Bhadradri Kothagudem officials are probing the case.
Asked about the condition of other two children of Chilakamma (the infant’s mother), who surrendered the baby to WD&CW officials due to poverty, Ms. Rebka Rani said the West Godavari CWC was in no way related to the incident as the sale of the newborn occurred in Telangana, and that the Aswaraopet police were investigating the case.
Meanwhile, State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) governing body member P. Francis Thambi has appealed to the West Godavari officials to conduct social investigation into the condition of other two children of Chilakamma and Arun Kumar.
Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) former member V. S. V. Krishna Kumar said that the CWC, Juvenile Welfare and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) should conduct a review on the implementation of Juvenile Justice Act.
“West Godavari district officials should order an inquiry into the sale of the newborn and conduct social investigation of the family as the victim and the accused belong to Andhra Pradesh. The officers should take steps to prevent such incidents,” Mr. Francis said on Sunday.
