5 accused arrested for selling newborn baby

Hyderabad, March 03: The Rachakonda Police were arrested 5 persons including a registered medical practitioner (RMP) for selling newborn baby in a hospital at Ibrahimpatnam on Thursday.

The baby's parents, K. Jawaharlal and K. Vanitha, were also arrested. The tribal couple from Sathi tanda of Loyapally village in Ranga Reddy district were daily wage workers. The couple already had two daughters.

Vanitha delivered her third daughter on Tuesday.

"However, they did not want a girl again and were not ready to pay the hospital bill of Rs.35,000," the Rachakonda police said.

As the couple said they would abandon the baby and go to their village, the RMP, identified as Shankar, and hospital administrator Srinivas approached a mediator, Shantha.

The latter said she knew a childless couple, E. Ravi and Varalakshmi. "She mediated the deal and convinced the couple to sell the newborn baby for Rs.50,000," the police said.

While the RMP took Rs.35,000, Rs.10,000 were given to the baby’s parents, and the remaining to the mediator.

On a tip-off, the Rachakonda SOT rescued the baby, who was later handed over to Shishu Vihar.