A couple, reportedly addicted to drugs, has been arrested for selling their six-month-old son to a scrap dealer in Punjab’s Mansa district, police said on Saturday. The incident came to light after the child’s maternal aunt informed the police.
Officials said the baby has been recovered, and both families have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The couple, residents of Akbarpur Khudal village, were reportedly addicted to drugs and unable to care for the child. They allegedly sold the baby to a scrap dealer’s family in Budhlada town for Rs 1.80 lakh.
The scrap dealer, who has four daughters, and the couple even signed a document they described as an “adoption deed.” Locals claimed the couple spent the money on drugs and household items. They also said the child’s mother, a former wrestler, became addicted to drugs after her marriage.
Taking suo motu notice of the media reports, Punjab Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairman Kanwardeep Singh directed the Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to recover the infant and hand him over to the Child Welfare Committee. The SSP was also asked to take strict action against both families and submit a report by October 31.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Budhlada) Sikander Singh Cheema said the child has been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee. Station House Officer, Bareta, Baldev Singh said a case has been registered under Section 143 (human trafficking) of the BNS against the couple and the scrap dealer’s family.
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