A heartbreaking incident unfolded in the Chandili police station area of Rayagada district, where a child was reportedly sold by her parents due to extreme poverty.
Kumud Gantha, the wife of Rahul Dhanbadi from Nuapada Basti, gave birth to a baby girl on the 3rd of this month. Nine days later, the parents handed over their newborn to a childless couple from Padopenki village in Manam district, Andhra Pradesh, for ₹20,000.
Acting on a tip-off, District Child Protection Officer Tim Koen reached Nuapada Basti yesterday to investigate. He questioned the baby’s parents and spoke to the Andhra couple over the phone, instructing them to appear before the Child Protection Commission.
Today, the Andhra couple brought the baby to the commission. Meanwhile, the upazilapal visited the child’s parents to gather further information.
The baby’s father admitted, “We are poor and can’t afford two meals a day. We handed our daughter over to a couple who promised to take care of her. They gave us ₹20,000 in return.”
Satapriya Pradhan, a member of the Child Protection Commission, clarified the situation: “We visited the child’s home after hearing about the incident. The parents handed over their baby when she was just nine days old. They claim they didn’t sell her but entrusted her to the couple due to their financial struggles. The couple says they have filed court papers, but we currently have no evidence to confirm this.”
The Child Protection Rights Team has since intervened to rescue the child and ensure her safety.