Hyderabad: Balapur police rescued a four-day-old baby girl on Friday, July 31, just before she was allegedly sold for Rs 5 lakh, arresting a woman accused of running the deal.
The accused, Waheeda Khatoon, a resident of Chandrayangutta, allegedly approached the mother of the newborn after learning she had delivered a baby girl at the Malakpet Government Maternity Hospital on July 28.
Waheeda allegedly reached out to an intermediary, Mehrunnisa, near Peeli Dargah in Barkas, initially quoting Rs 6 lakh for the infant. The price was later brought down to Rs 5 lakh, and a deal was worked out to hand over the baby.
The transaction was initially set to take place in Shaheen Nagar before being moved to the vicinity of JJR Function Hall in Pahadi Shareef. Acting on a tip-off from social activist Safiya Mahi, Balapur police laid a trap at the new location and caught Waheeda red-handed as she allegedly arrived to complete the sale. The baby was rescued unharmed.
The infant’s mother, a resident of Golconda, was discharged from the Malakpet hospital on the same day the rescue operation was carried out. Police are examining the circumstances under which the baby was allegedly put up for sale.
A case has been registered, and police are investigating whether a larger racket or other intermediaries were involved. Further arrests have not been ruled out.
(Note: The copy has been updated with additional information.)
