Woman arrested for allegedly trying to buy newborn in Hyderabad’s Balapur

Woman arrested for allegedly trying to buy newborn in Hyderabad’s Balapur

Hyderabad: Balapur police on Friday, July 31, arrested a woman for allegedly attempting to purchase a newborn baby from her mother, according to preliminary information reported by The Siasat Daily.

The accused, identified as Waheeda Khatoon, is suspected of targeting poor women at maternity hospitals and facilitating the sale of newborns. Police have not yet disclosed the legal sections under which the case was registered.

How the alleged deal came to light

The case centres on a woman named Afreen, a resident of Golconda, who delivered a baby girl at the Malakpet Government Maternity Hospital on July 28, according to police. The accused reportedly learnt of the delivery and approached Afreen, offering to buy the infant for Rs 5 lakh.

The exact circumstances under which the accused came to know about the new mother have not been explained by investigators so far. This is expected to be a key focus of the probe, as it could reveal whether the accused had prior knowledge of the woman’s financial situation or received information from someone close to the hospital.

Police raid in Shaheen Nagar

Acting on credible information, Balapur police conducted a raid in the Shaheen Nagar area and allegedly caught the accused red-handed while the baby was being handed over, the report said.

The raid is understood to have prevented the transfer of the infant. However, police have not yet stated where the child has been placed or whether she has been reunited with her mother. The condition of the newborn has also not been officially confirmed.

Case registered, wider racket under scrutiny

A case has been registered in connection with the incident and an investigation is underway. Police said they are trying to ascertain whether more people are involved in the alleged baby sale racket.

So far, no other suspects have been named. Whether the accused acted alone or was part of a larger network operating around city hospitals remains part of the investigation. The role of any intermediaries, if any, has not been established.

The sale and purchase of a child is a punishable offence under Indian law, including the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, along with provisions relating to trafficking under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The specific provisions invoked in this case have not been made public.

What remains unclear

Several aspects of the case are still awaiting official confirmation. These include whether any hospital staff were involved in passing information about vulnerable mothers to the accused, whether the accused had previous links to similar cases, and the current whereabouts and custody of the newborn.

Police have described the information available so far as preliminary. A detailed statement from the investigating officer has not yet been issued.

Why this matters

The case highlights concerns about the safety of women admitted to government maternity hospitals in Hyderabad, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds who may be vulnerable to traffickers. It also raises questions about how outsiders can identify and approach new mothers inside hospital premises.

Residents who come across any suspicious offers involving the sale of children are advised to report the matter to the local police or the child helpline at 1098. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.

Key facts at a glance

Incident Alleged attempt to purchase a newborn baby
Date of arrest Friday, July 31
Place Shaheen Nagar, Balapur, Hyderabad
Accused Waheeda Khatoon (as per preliminary information)
Reported offer Rs 5 lakh for the infant
Mother Afreen, resident of Golconda
Hospital Malakpet Government Maternity Hospital

Source: The Siasat Daily – Hyderabad – https://www.siasat.com/woman-arrested-while-purchasing-new-born-in-hyderabads-balapur-3516921/

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