A suspected case of child selling in Jharkhand’s Palamu district has prompted an administrative inquiry after police rescued a newborn reportedly sold for ₹50,000.
The infant, born on August 9 to a woman in Lotwa village under Lesliganj police station, was allegedly handed over through a local intermediary in Latehar a week later.
According to the police, the child’s father, Ramchandra Ram, a daily wage labourer, originally from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, returned from work to learn from his older children that his wife had given away the baby. The family has been living in precarious conditions, first in a hut and currently in a makeshift shelter at Lesliganj’s Durga Mandap, covered with plastic sheets. None of the family members reportedly possesses Aadhaar or voter identity cards.
The woman, identified as Pinki Devi, has been inconsistent in her statements before authorities. While initially she was accused of selling the baby for money, she later told the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) that she had handed the child to relatives in exchange for ₹50,000 to ensure better upbringing.
The Lesliganj Police said the infant was rescued from Latehar late on Saturday and handed over to the CWC. “The baby has been shifted to Missionaries of Charity for care. The mother requires counselling as she is changing her statements,” said CWC member Ravishankar.
Officials said the woman is also undergoing treatment for health complications. Palamu civil surgeon Dr. Anil Kumar Srivastava confirmed that the mother reported breast-related problems and the Health Department is conducting medical examinations of the mother and child.
The case has drawn attention at the highest levels. Chief Minister Hemant Soren directed the district administration to take immediate action, following which senior officials including the civil surgeon, social security department assistant director Neeraj Kumar, and district social welfare officer Nita Chauhan visited the family in Lesliganj. Health Minister Irfan Ansari has also issued instructions for medical and welfare support.
Local MLA Dr. Shashi Bhushan Mehta said the matter came to his notice through the media. He assured that the family would be linked with government schemes and provided all possible assistance. “If anyone faces such hardship, they should reach out to us instead of taking such extreme steps,” he said.
The incident has raised concerns about gaps in welfare delivery. Despite multiple social security and nutrition schemes, the family remained outside formal support systems. Activists say the absence of basic documents like Aadhaar prevented access to government benefits.
The child’s rescue has brought temporary relief, but questions remain over whether this was an act of trafficking or sheer desperation born out of poverty. Authorities have initiated further investigation.