Odisha: Baby Sold for ₹7,000 by Tribal Parents, Rescued After Mother’s Complaint

Jajpur: Odisha police on Tuesday rescued a one-month-old baby boy who was allegedly sold by his parents to a childless couple for Rs 7,000 in Jajpur district’s Dasarathapur area.

The incident came to light when the baby’s mother approached Jajpur Town police over a week after selling her third child. Poverty-stricken, Bikram Munda and his wife Janga, both daily wage labourers living near Biraja temple in Jajpur Town, had sold their newborn son to Kalia Jena and his wife from Haladipada village, through a middleman.

However, Janga soon regretted her decision and urged her husband to retrieve the baby. When the couple visited Kalia’s home to return the money and get their child back, Kalia reportedly refused, prompting them to seek police help.

The police, in coordination with the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) and Childline officials, conducted a raid at Haladipada village and successfully rescued the infant.

Childline coordinator Barendra Krushna Das confirmed that the baby has been rescued and will be presented before the Child Welfare Committee for further action. Jajpur Town police have launched an investigation, with the middleman currently on the run.