Dharmasala Police on Sunday arrested at least five persons, including an Anganwadi worker in connection with the alleged sale of newborn baby girl by a couple at Sanaraipara village of Jajpur district on January 28.
The parents of the infant- Natabar Behera and Kanchan are also among the arrested persons. The anganwadi staff was reportedly the middleman in the deal.
As the couple already had three daughters, they allegedly sold the newborn to a childless couple of Mahakalapada area in Kendrapara for Rs 12,000 soon after the delivery at Dharamsala Community Health Centre (CHC).
However, Natabar claimed that he is a daily wage labourer and it would be difficult for him to take care of four children. Therefore, he and his wife decided to hand over the baby to their childless relative to be adopted. Natabar also refused to have taken any money for handing over the girl.
The matter came to the fore after some villagers reported the incident to the district administration following which the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) was directed to inquire into the matter and submit a detailed report.
Accordingly, the officials of the DCPU rushed to the village and rescued the baby.