India: Baby Sold to Couple; Adoption Agency Director Arrested

“The director of a Nanded-based adoption agency was arrested by the Mumbai police in connection with a case of illegal adoption, the Times of India reported. A 10-day-old baby was sold to a couple for an amount of Rs 1.9 lakh. [$2,857.64] The baby is now 18 months old.

Police arrested Satyashree Khade Gutte , director of the Nanded-based Sunita Gutte Shishugrah. Gutte has been booked on charges of exploitation of children as well as indulgence in human trafficking.

A larger suspicion looms about whether this case is related to a child-trafficking racket. The police is currently investigating this angle.

An officer told the daily about why they think there is a larger racket: “First, as per adoption rules, the NGO should not have charged money . Second, the child’s birth certificate is bogus and, lastly, the couple should have insisted on a proper agreement through the court.”

Meanwhile, the police have gone to court for a decision on whether or not the baby will be allowed to stay with his adoptive parents.”

Baby sold to couple for Rs 1.9 lakh; adoption agency director arrested [DNA India 4/20/16]

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