Odisha: Toddler Allegedly 'Sold Off' By Parents, Rescued

Cuttack: A toddler-boy, allegedly sold off by his poverty-stricken parents at Asureswar Pachayat in Salipur of Cuttack district, was rescued by Nischintakoili police on Sunday.

Acting on a tip off, District Child Protection Unit authorities took the help of local police and traced the baby from the house of a distant relative at Sridharpur village of Derabis block.

Father of the toddler Ajay Kumar Singh however refuted the charges of child-sale and clarified, “We had come to a relative’s place for some rituals for our baby and the allegation about selling of the toddler is totally baseless."

Ajay’s distant relative Raghunath Mallick also brushed aside the allegation on him of buying the baby.

“I have two daughters and Ajay had three sons. We had a negotiation before two years that if Ajay will be blessed with another son, he will gift me the baby. But we don’t have any document work yet. They will return from our house with the baby once the ritual is complete,” Mallick clarified.

However Child Line Coordinator Narayan Shukla informed that it’s a clear case of baby selling.

“Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) informed us about the incident and we acted upon the order of CWC (Child Welfare Committee) and CDPO to trace the baby. We will rescue him with the help of police and produce before CWC. The parents and the buyer of the baby are not cooperating in the investigation process.  The committee will take proper decision on further course of action,” said Shukla.

Nischintakoili CDPO Lilabati Sethi stated that parents are refuting the charge of baby selling on them. But we will investigate the matter.

“Actions will be taken soon according to the course of law after looking into the matter,” said Sethi.

Nischintakoili police has started a thorough investigation into the matter.