Four persons in Ambur held for selling baby

Four persons were arrested by Ambur Town police in Tirupattur on Sunday for selling a nine-day-old baby boy to a couple in Bengaluru for ₹1 lakh.

The arrested persons were identified as Rahmatullah, 42, R. Aushma, 37, and Bengaluru couple Shameen Taj, 30, and Syed Akbar Basha, 35.

Initial inquiry revealed that Rahmatullah was married to Aushma and the family was living in Ambur town for the past few years.

Police said that Aushma gave birth to the male child on August 14 at Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore. As her husband was jobless, Aushma reportedly felt that the couple could not afford to take care of four children.

Police said a few brokers, who were absconding, were aware of her situation and made a deal with her to sell the baby to a couple in Bengaluru. Her husband Rahmatullah was also aware of the deal and Aushma sold the baby to the couple.

Police said when the hospital authorities wanted to conduct a check up on the newborn baby, the couple was reluctant to bring the child to the government hospital. It prompted authorities to alert officials of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Tirupattur.

Police said based on a complaint by CWC, a case was registered by Ambur Town police. The Bengaluru couple was traced and the child was rescued. A probe is underway.