Balangir: Balangir police have managed to trace a newborn girl, allegedly sold by her mother after her birth, to a private hospital in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The baby is currently receiving medical treatment for health complications.
The case came to light after Childline members filed an FIR at Lathor police station on Nov 14. Aruna Bati Nag from Sangurjibhata village in Balangir district, gave birth to the child two weeks ago at Sunamudi health centre.
"We traced the baby to the hospital within a day of the FIR being filed. A police team is monitoring the situation to ensure her safe return once she recovers," said Rakesh Behera, inspector in-charge, Lathor police station, on Wednesday.
Police probe revealed the adoptee family, accompanied by the child's uncle, admitted the baby to the hospital. Aruna, already a mother of five, denied selling her daughter, claiming she gave her baby to a family they knew about as she and her husband hadn't planned for another child.
During a visit to Sangurjibhata on Tuesday, deputy chief minister K V Singh Deo met Aruna, who said that no money changed hands. Singh Deo has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.
"We haven't found any evidence of financial transactions yet. The complete truth will emerge when we question both families face-to-face," Behera added. Authorities are also investigating whether proper adoption procedures were followed.
Police continue to monitor the situation while ensuring the child's safe return to appropriate custody once she recovers.