Facing poverty and social stigma, woman sells baby for Rs 40

Instances of lifting of baby boys from hospitals in Tamil Nadu have put two women in Nerupperichchal village near Tiruppur in Coimbatore district under police scanner.

Instances of lifting of baby boys from hospitals in Tamil Nadu have put two women in Nerupperichchal village near Tiruppur in Coimbatore district under police scanner. Following allegations that one of the women was trying to sell a child for Rs 10,000, an inquiry has been ordered into the issue.

It all began when villagers found Selvi, a 35-year-old construction worker, nursing a baby boy. Selvi had been staying in the area for the past two months and her neighbours were convinced that the child was not hers.

When they questioned her, she told them that the child was born to a co-worker, Kala (32) of Poyampalayam, who could not bring up the kid due to poverty. Selvi said she had paid Rs 40 for the child. Kala was also questioned and not being convinced by their explanations, the women were handed over to the Perumanallur police along with the child.

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On inquiry, it was found that Kala had given birth to the boy at Tiruppur Government Hospital on June 20. However, the child was from an illegitimate relationship, as Kala was separated from her alcoholic husband and was staying with her six-year-old child.

“As they saw Selvi with a boy child, the villagers grew suspicious, thinking that he might have been lifted from a hospital. Everyone fancies a boy and there are several cases of stealing recorded in southern districts,” said a district official.

Fortunately for Kala, she and the child did not have to undergo tests to prove parentage as she had the hospital records with her.

There were also complaints that the women were trying to sell off the child to a couple for Rs 10,000. “Though there were also rumours about the child being on sale, we could not verify them,” said a local official. The police have directed Kala to produce herself and the baby every alternate day at the station to ensure that the child is not sold.

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“Kala is poor and illiterate, and does not know the legal implications of her actions. We have explained to her that she cannot sell the child even though it is hers, and have asked her to take back the boy from her friend,” said officials.

Kala maintained that being poor she could not bring up the child and that she was ready to give the baby to anyone who will take good care of him in return for a small amount of money.