Parents and Middlemen Arrested in Kolar for Alleged Sale of Newborn Infant
In a shocking incident from Srinivasapur in Kolar district, police have apprehended five individuals, including the biological parents of a six-day-old baby boy, for their alleged involvement in the illegal sale of the newborn. Acting swiftly on a tip-off about the illicit transaction, law enforcement officers managed to trace the accused and rescue the infant within a remarkably short span of 12 hours.
Details of the Alleged Crime and Arrests
According to Srinivasapur Circle Inspector Shankarachar, the primary accused in this distressing case are Neetha, aged 30, and Raghavendra, aged 27. The couple, who were living together, welcomed the baby boy into the world on January 31. Neetha, who already has two children from a previous marriage—a son and a daughter—reportedly made the decision to sell the newborn. She discussed this plan with Raghavendra, who consented to the arrangement.
The inspector revealed that a man identified as Narayanaswamy stepped in as a middleman, offering to locate a prospective buyer for the infant. Narayanaswamy contacted Manjula and her husband Balakrishna from Chintamani and brought them to Srinivasapur to meet the baby. After seeing the child, the couple agreed to take him into their care. They paid an initial sum of Rs 38,000 to cover hospital expenses and an additional Rs 80,000 in cash directly to Neetha and Raghavendra, with a promise to settle the remaining amount at a later date.
Police Intervention and Rescue Operation
Both parties involved in the transaction prepared and signed a letter of adoption to ostensibly demonstrate consent for the process. Following this, the buyer couple, Manjula and Balakrishna, took the baby to Chintamani on Saturday evening. However, around midnight, Srinivasapur police received crucial information about the deal. Without delay, a specialized team was formed and dispatched to Chintamani.
The police successfully apprehended Manjula and Balakrishna, bringing them to the police station along with the rescued infant. Subsequently, Neetha and Raghavendra were also arrested. All four individuals, along with the middleman Narayanaswamy, have allegedly confessed to their roles in the offence.
Background of the Accused and Legal Proceedings
Further investigation by the police uncovered that Neetha was previously married to a man named Santosh, with whom she has a son. After Santosh left her, Neetha began working at a private company in Kolar, where she met Raghavendra, a driver employed at the same firm. The two entered into a live-in relationship and had a daughter approximately four years ago.
All five accused have been remanded to judicial custody as the legal process unfolds. The rescued baby boy is currently under the protective care of the child welfare department. He will remain there until further legal procedures are completed to ensure his safety and well-being.
