A daily wage earner allegedly sold his newborn daughter to a teacher in Dhupguri area in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district for Rs. 25,000 even as police has arrested a middleman, identified as Atul Basak, who helped in striking the deal.
Salma Begum, wife of a daily wage labourer Bulbul Haq, had delivered a baby girl at Moynaguri hospital on Saturday last, police said.
“On April 19, Salma was released from the hospital and she went back home. Once in Dhupguri, her husband struck a deal with a school teacher in Mathabhanga area identified as Partha Biswas, to sell off the baby in exchange of Rs. 25,000,” a senior police officer said.
“The deal was struck with the help of another school teacher of Netajipara primary school in Dhupguri, Atul Basak,” the officer said.
“We have received a complaint from the mother and Atul Basak has been arrested. He is now being questioned for more details and a search is on to trace the whereabouts of Bulbul Haq, who is currently absconding,” said Avaru Ravindranath, Superintendent of Police (SP), Jalpaiguri.