UP cops stop man from selling son for pregnant wife’s treatment; donate money and blood

Police in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday stopped a man from selling his one-year-old son to arrange money for treatment of his pregnant wife. They even pooled in money and donated blood for the woman.

Arvind Kumar, a daily-wage worker from Saurikh in Kannauj district, had admitted his pregnant wife to the district hospital on Tuesday night after she fainted. At the hospital, he was told by some touts that his wife, Sukhdevi, was anaemic and her pregnancy was complicated. He was asked to arrange for Rs 25,000 for her treatment and five units of blood needed for transfusion.

Kumar, who also has a three-year-old daughter, told police that he decided to sell his son after failing to get help from his relatives and friends.

A childless couple reportedly approached him and agreed to pay him Rs 25,000 for the child but he demanded Rs 40,000. The deal was ultimately finalised for Rs 30,000. However, it fell through after the couple had a change of heart at the last moment. Insisting she wasn’t interested in getting a child through such a deal, the woman reportedly asked her husband to inform the police.

Acting on the information, the police reached the spot where Kumar was waiting with the child outside the district hospital on Wednesday night.

When interrogated, Kumar confessed about his intention to sell the boy.

The police, instead of taking action, decided to help the man by pooling in money and donating blood for his ailing wife.

Sub inspector Brijendra Singh, who led the police team, said, “Kumar was shaken because of his wife’s condition and told me that he wanted to sell his child for money. I assured him of all possible help.”

The SI also ensured that Kumar’s wife was admitted to the medical college.

“She is under treatment at the Kannauj Medical College now. Some touts and other staff members at the district hospital had persuaded him to sell off the baby,” said Amod Kumar Singh, SHO, Tirva police station.

First Published: Aug 31, 2018 09:13 IST