Ludhiana, Feb 16: Ludhiana police have apprehended five individuals, including a BAMS doctor and the biological mother, for their alleged involvement in the sale of a two-day-old baby girl for Rs 2.10 lakh. The infant, born on February 13, was reportedly traded near a public park before alert local residents intervened on Sunday.
The suspects are identified as Sunita Devi, the infant’s mother; Parveen, a domestic worker; Manmeet Kaur, a BAMS doctor; Ruchi, a caretaker; and Mandeep Kaur, the alleged buyer from Moga. Police officials stated that the transaction was intercepted at a park on Neela Jhanda Road after bystanders became suspicious of a woman carrying a constantly crying newborn.
Additional DCP-1 Sameer Verma affirmed during a press conference that the child’s mother already had four daughters and decided to provide the fifth child to others due to domestic dissatisfaction. The officer maintained that a network of intermediaries, including nurses and an ASHA worker, facilitated the connection between the mother and the prospective buyer.
The investigation revealed that the agreed price was Rs 2.10 lakh, with Rs 1.5 lakh intended for the mother and the remaining Rs 60,000 designated as commission for the facilitators. The buyer, Mandeep Kaur, reportedly traveled from Nangal village in Moga to finalize the deal in Ludhiana.
Authorities noted that the role of the medical facility where the birth occurred is currently under review. ADCP Verma declared that if the investigation establishes further involvement by the nursing home staff, additional legal actions will follow. The infant is currently under the care of authorities as the legal proceedings continue.
