CB-CID digs out old case during baby sale probe

The ongoing probe into the sensational baby selling racket has led the CB-CID sleuths to investigate an old case, in which a contract staffer working at the Salem Government Hospital was sacked after she facilitated the selling of a baby girl to a Madurai-based couple.

Recalling the case, police sources said Rani, a resident of Mecheri in Salem, had three daughters from her first marriage. “After her husband passed away, she married one Balu and delivered a girl child in May last year at the Salem GH. As she considered raising four girls a burden, Rani decided to sell her new born baby,” they said.

On knowing this, Jaya, who was engaged by a private firm for sanitation work at the hospital, approached Rani and helped to sell the baby for a few lakhs. Subsequently, Rani changed her mind and approached Jaya to get her child back. However, Jaya refused to help and claimed that she lost contact with the buyer, sources said.

Upset over this, Rani lodged a complaint with police in the GH outpost seeking the return of her child. Because of police intervention, the Madurai-based couple handed over the baby to Rani. The police did not file any case as the issue was settled amicably. Jaya was dismissed from service by the private firm for her involvement in the case.

Suspecting a link with the Namakkal baby selling racket, the CB-CID cops on Sunday night questioned the Salem GH staff on the case. Further, they have decided to question Rani, Jaya and the Madurai-based couple in the coming days.

In a related development, the investigation agency is also probing into the death of a baby in possession of a couple. The couple, identified as Suresh and Maneka, had admitted the 40-day-old baby boy at the Namakkal Government Hospital for jaundice. As they claimed to have found the baby at a temple in Kollimalai, the Namakkal police have registered a case.

The baby was referred to the Salem GH on May 1. However, he died without responding to treatment on May 10. The CB-CID sleuths are inquiring if the baby was taken from the temple premises as claimed or if it was bought from the gang.

Police have so far arrested nine persons, including Amuthavalli, the main accused, in connection with the baby selling racket. The gang has sold about 30 babies to childless couples over the years.