Ludhiana Mother Arrested for Allegedly Selling Newborn Daughter in Shocking Baby Sale Case
In a deeply disturbing incident in Ludhiana, a 32-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly selling her newborn daughter, just three days old, for Rs 2.1 lakh. The arrest occurred on Sunday night, with police revealing that the mother, Sunita Devi, did not seek any share of the money beyond covering her medical bills—she simply wanted the child out of her life.
Police Crack Down on Baby Sale Ring, Multiple Arrests Made
Alongside Sunita Devi, police have arrested four other women involved in the alleged transaction. The group includes the intended buyer, Mandeep Kaur, a childless woman from Moga district, as well as Sunita's friend Praveen, BAMS graduate Manmeet Kaur, and Manmeet's friend Ruchi. The deal was reportedly struck at Manmeet Kaur's clinic, highlighting the involvement of medical professionals in this illicit activity.
The case came to light through sheer luck when a parkgoer overheard the women discussing the sale near Gurudwara Chhevin Patshahi in Division-3 area on Sunday evening. The passerby alerted police, who swiftly intervened and caught the group in the act. ADCP-1 Sameer Verma stated that Mandeep Kaur had already transferred Rs 2.1 lakh to Manmeet Kaur by the time of the arrest.
Investigation Reveals Complex Network Behind Baby Sale
Interrogations have uncovered a detailed chain of events. Sunita Devi, mother of five daughters from eight years of marriage, expressed her unwillingness to keep the newborn. She confided in her friend Praveen, who contacted a nurse named Asha from a private hospital where Sunita was admitted. This nurse then approached BAMS graduate Manmeet Kaur, who enlisted her friend Ruchi to find a buyer. With the assistance of Gurmeet Kaur from Moga, they identified Mandeep Kaur, who had been unable to conceive after eight years of marriage.
Police are actively searching for three additional suspects: an Asha worker named Pamma from Amritsar, nurse Asha, and her aide Gurmeet Kaur. Authorities are also investigating the possible role of the private hospital's management and whether the accused have been involved in similar cases previously.
Broader Context: Second Such Incident in Punjab in Recent Months
This case marks the second alarming baby sale incident in Punjab within less than four months. Earlier, a drug-addicted couple in Mansa district was arrested for selling their six-month-old son for Rs 1.8 lakh to fund their addiction. These incidents raise serious concerns about child trafficking and exploitation in the region, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns.
The Ludhiana police continue to delve into the motivations and networks behind this crime, emphasizing the need for vigilance and community cooperation to prevent such tragedies in the future.
