New Delhi, December 03: It’s that time of the year when people, and even the government it seems, seek solace through some retail therapy; a little more than usual. And you won’t believe what is on sale. Three persons including a woman were caught from in front of Birla Mandir in New Delhi for allegedly trying to sell a six-month-old infant for Rs 2 lakh.
A senior police official confirmed the incident and said that the woman is from Jharkhand who was selling the male baby to a decoy customer. Police had information about a gang that was providing babies to childless couples for big money.
Elaborate trap
“Our decoy customer contacted a woman who used to fix the deals. She said that a male baby can be arranged for Rs 2 lakh and if we want a female baby the charges will be less. Finally a deal was struck,” said a police source.
The source said that a day later the woman introduced two other people to the ‘customer’ (a female ASI posted with Mandir Marg police station). The trio said that they will give her the baby on Thursday. The ASI asked them to bring the male child near Birla Mandir.
However, the culprits got whiff that cops were tailing them. They came in the area with the child but turned back without intimating the ‘customer’. The ASI contacted them to find out the reason. “They said that they were afraid of being caught. The lady cop assured them that the place was safe and police knew nothing about the matter. They then decided to meet on Friday,” said the police official.
Cops prepared a few bundles with some waste paper and some genuine notes for the payment. The accused reached Birla Mandirat the appointed time. The ASI handed over the ‘payment’ and took possession of the baby.
Meanwhile a police team conducted a raid and arrested the three persons. “One of the accused is from West Bengal and was living in Laxmi Nagar, east Delhi. The woman, who is from Jharkhand, claims he is her husband. An FIR is being lodged in this respect at Mandir Marg police station of New Delhi district,” said the police official.
-Agencies