In Karnataka, a troubling case involving the sale of an infant born to an unwed mother has come to light. The incident, which unfolded in Belagavi, led to the arrest of five individuals, including a doctor, who were implicated in the illegal transaction. This case highlights the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by unwed mothers in India, as well as the broader issue of illegal child trafficking.
The case started when a month-old baby girl was sold. Rajkumar Ningappa Rathod, the coordinator of the Government Adoption Center inside the District Child Protection cell, filed a report about it. The Belagavi police responded to this report by opening an inquiry, which soon turned up a troubling series of events. After an investigation, it was discovered that the newborn had been sold for 60,000 to Mahadevi, a.k.a. Priyanka Bahubali Jain from Bailhongal, by Dr. Abdulgafar Hussainsaab Ladkhan, a doctor from Hanchinal village near Saundatti.
It was then that the police learned Mahadevi was trying to sell the child again. Police approached Mahadevi in an undercover operation, pretending to be prospective buyers, and persuaded her that they would be willing to pay 1.4 lakh for the kid. When Mahadevi and the baby showed up to the designated spot in Belagavi, where she was later taken into custody, the operation came to a head.
The baby was placed in protective care and brought to the district hospital after Mahadevi was arrested in order to make sure she was okay. The investigation resulted in the arrest of more people connected to the crime in addition to Mahadevi. Chandan Subedar from Shigihali village near Bailhongal, Sampagaon village near Bailhongal’s Pavitra Somappa Madiwalar, and Dharwad’s Praveen Manjunath Madiwalar were among those arrested. After these people were produced before the court, the court remanded them in detention.
Law enforcement and social services are deeply concerned about this case, which has prompted a more thorough inquiry into whether or not this occurrence was a part of a bigger child trafficking network. The investigation is still underway, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), P.V. Sneha, to find out if there are any other offenders or minors who may have been trafficked in a similar way.
Deputy Commissioners Rohan Jagadeesh and Ms. Sneha headed the investigative team, which also comprised a committed group of officers such Inspector J.M. Kalimirchi, Ramanagouda Sankanala, K.B. Gourani, and Jasmin Mulla. This group put in a lot of effort to determine the entire scope of the illegal conduct and apprehend those accountable.
This case has clarified a number of important concerns. It first draws attention to the predicament of single moms in India, who frequently deal with intense social and financial pressures. Being an unmarried mother has a stigma that can push some women to extreme lengths to get by, including selling their babies. This incident also emphasizes the necessity of more robust social services and support networks to help unmarried mothers and avert similar catastrophes.
Secondly, the case highlights the ongoing issue of illicit child trafficking in India. Trafficking in persons is still a serious problem even in the face of several laws and rules aimed at protecting youngsters. This instance serves as a reminder of the necessity of public awareness campaigns to deter similar crimes and the strict implementation of child protection legislation.Third, there are major moral and legal concerns when a medical professional is involved in the illicit sale of a baby. It serves as a clear reminder of the medical community’s need for strict control and responsibility to make sure that physicians and other healthcare professionals uphold moral principles and refrain from engaging in illegal activity.
SOURCE:
THE HINDU
