Gondia doctor among five booked for allegedly selling newborn for Rs 2.5 lakh

Bhandara: In a disturbing incident, a doctor at a private hospital in Maharashtra's Gondia district has been booked for allegedly selling a 10-day-old newborn girl for Rs 2.5 lakh under the pretext of arranging medical treatment through an NGO, officials said.

Five persons have been named in the case, and one accused has been arrested so far.

According to a recent UNII report, the prime accused is absconding, and police teams have been deployed to trace him. Authorities have also raised concerns regarding the authenticity of his medical degree.

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The case came to light on February 2 after an anonymous caller informed the Child Welfare Department’s helpline that a newborn baby girl was at a residence in Padharabodi village in Mohadi taluka of Bhandara district.

Officials from the Child Helpline reached the house of Malti Prakash Waghmare and found the infant there. When summoned to appear before the Women and Child Welfare Department on February 3, Waghmare failed to comply.

Police were subsequently alerted. During inquiries in the village, locals informed officers that a woman had left with the baby in a car.

Acting on the information, police intercepted the vehicle at Kushari Phata and found Pournima Dhurve travelling with the infant.

The occupants failed to produce valid documents or provide satisfactory information about the child’s parents.

The child’s biological parents later appeared before the Child Welfare Committee on February 4 and alleged that their premature baby had been taken to the doctor in Gondia for treatment.

According to the parents' statement, the doctor told them that, since they could not afford medical expenses, he would arrange treatment in Nagpur through an NGO. Investigations, however, revealed that the infant was allegedly sold instead.

Police said the baby was handed over to Malti Waghmare, who reportedly paid Rs 1 lakh through a demand draft to the account of co-accused Laleshwari Sadepach and the remaining amount in cash.

An FIR has been registered at Varthi police station against the doctor, Laleshwari Sadepach, Malti Waghmare, Pournima Dhurve and Umesh Singh Gahalot under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, reports UNI.

Laleshwari Sadepach has been arrested, while efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accused.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Shivam Visapure said the case is being investigated thoroughly and confirmed that the alleged transaction involved Rs 2.5 lakh.

Also Read:FIR against doctor, 4 others for alleged attempt to sell newborn