Tripura newborn ‘sold’ to childless couple rescued

Agartala: The Tripura State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, alongside police, recovered a five-day-old infant on Monday from a family in Khowai. The newborn was allegedly purchased on April 30 from impoverished parents residing in the border village of Katacherra, Simna, West Tripura.
The child's grandmother claimed that her son and daughter-in-law sold the baby to a childless Khowai couple for Rs 1.5 lakh. However, the parents contested this, explaining they had initially considered terminating the pregnancy due to financial constraints. The couple offered to support the expecting mother throughout her pregnancy, including medical expenses, and promised to raise the child.
Following the delivery at Katlamara Primary Health Centre, Lakshmi Rani Sarkar and her husband Prasenjit Das transferred the baby to the couple. The situation became public when Prasenjit's mother, Basana Das, objected to the arrangement and engaged in a confrontation.
Lakshmi and Prasenjit maintained they donated the child, stating, "We already have two sons and one daughter and we were not in a position to accept the fourth child. But we had to stop abortion by a childless couple and they supported us for the last nine months. So, we have given away the child because she will be getting a better life there."
Reports indicate that Prasenjit, a daily wage worker, encountered the childless couple last year while working at their residence. During their conversation, he mentioned their abortion plans, but the couple persuaded them against it and requested to take the child. Lakshmi confirmed their previous contact with the Khowai-based family, suggesting a premeditated arrangement.
The baby girl is currently safe in a govt children's home.