Official rescues baby ‘sold’ by parents

Sambalpur: A 17-day-old baby boy from Khoirpali village in Bargarh district’s Sohela Block, who was allegedly sold to a family in a neighbouring village, was rescued by an official of the district’s child welfare committee on Saturday.

The illegal adoption was arranged using a notary and stamp paper, which is illegal. The district administration is investigating whether the adoption involved a monetary transaction.

The baby’s parents, who already have five children, were unable to raise another child and allegedly facilitated the transfer using notary documents.

The baby boy was allegedly handed over shortly after birth to a family seeking a son, as they only had daughters.

The boy’s father said, “I already have children aged 8, 6, 3, 2, and 1, and this baby was our sixth. Since I was unable to raise another child, I gave him away. I didn’t even have money to buy medicines for my children, so I gave the baby to a family in the neighbouring district to secure a better future for him. They do not have any boys. We did not take any money from them.

”Bargarh district child protection officer Manju Ekka told TOI, “Currently, the child is under the care of the district child protection unit. We are investigating whether any money was exchanged. ”