Infant Trafficking Case Uncovered in Maharashtra: Four Charged for Selling Newborn for Rs 1 Lakh

The Raigad couple reportedly paid Rs 1 lakh for the infant, according to officials (Representational)

Police confirmed on Friday that four individuals have been charged for the alleged sale and purchase of a 17-day-old baby boy for Rs 1 lakh in Maharashtra's Thane district.

According to an official, a couple from Kalyan taluka allegedly sold their newborn son to a man and woman from Raigad district on October 14.

API Pankaj Giri of the Kalyan taluka police station stated that a first information report (FIR) has been filed against all parties involved under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

The official explained that the infant's parents already have a four-year-old son and claimed they were unable to care for the newborn. They also expressed concerns about the mother's health due to her history of previous miscarriages.

The official further noted that the Raigad couple purchased the infant for Rs 1 lakh, and the illegal transaction was discovered by the Women and Child Welfare (WCW) department.

Ramkrishna Reddy, Women and Child Welfare Officer for Thane district, said, "The WCW team received information about the illegal transaction, after which they tracked down both couples, rescued the baby, and involved police authorities in the investigation."