A one-year-old child allegedly sold by his father in the Nilgiri area in Baleswar district to a person of Kaptipada in Mayubhanj district 11 days ago was rescued on Thursday.
After knowing that the child was at Kaptipada, a team was sent there to rescue it and bring it back, informed the Nilgiri Sub-Collector, adding that the minor would be lodged at the Bapuji Sewa Sadan at Mitrapur.
Suka Singh (37) of Chaturiasahi village under Dhobslia gram panchayat had allegedly sold his son to one Bania Singh two days after the death of his wife, Jhumuri Singh (29). The transaction was made just for Rs 3,000. Poverty-stricken Suku did it as he did not have money to observe the last rites of his deceased wife.
According to sources, Suka had married Jhumuri about 13 years ago. About 10 children were born to them. While the eldest daughter was married about a year ago, one child had died and further Suka had allegedly sold another six-month-old infant boy about two years ago to a person in Nilgiri. Suka doesn’t remember now who he had sold the other child to.
“The child allegedly sold in Kaptipada was rescued. We are making a detailed investigation into the issue,” said district child protection officer Itishree Mohapatra.