Newborn sold to A.P. couple for ₹4 lakh, three arrested

A two-day-old baby girl was sold to a couple from Andhra Pradesh for ₹4 lakh in Villivakkam, following which Chennai City Police arrested three persons, including a hospital employee, in connection with the incident.

According to police sources, Pavithra, a resident of Korukkupet, was admitted to a private hospital for delivery a few days ago. She already has a daughter and, after giving birth to another girl, allegedly decided to sell the newborn citing financial difficulties.

On the second day after delivery, the baby was allegedly handed over to a childless couple from Andhra Pradesh for ₹4 lakh. Pavithra was discharged from the hospital on August 19 without the infant and returned home.

After information about the sale of the infant reached Villivakkam police and the Chennai District Child Protection Unit, officials launched an inquiry. The investigation confirmed that the baby had been sold shortly after birth.

Police subsequently arrested three alleged intermediaries — Dhanalakshmi of Korukkupet and Andal of Ayanavaram — along with Durga, a woman working at the hospital.

During the investigation, police found that Pavithra’s husband is currently lodged in Puzhal prison in connection with a criminal case. Police suspect that her financial hardship prompted her to plan the sale of her second child.

Investigators said Dhanalakshmi acted as the broker and introduced Andal to the arrangement, while Durga, the hospital employee, assisted them. The Andhra Pradesh couple who purchased the child is also being questioned. Police suspect that a dispute over the distribution of the money among those involved eventually brought the transaction to light, leading to the investigation.

A special police team rescued the infant from the couple in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday afternoon. The child has since been brought back to the State. Police are also probing allegations of the hospital management aware of the sale of the baby. Doctors and hospital management are likely to be questioned as part of the investigation.

The police have expanded the probe to determine whether other newborns were sold through a similar network. Investigators are also making inquiries at Pavithra’s residence to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the sale.