4 arrested over attempt to sell infant in Pabna

Four people have been arrested for reportedly attempting to sell a 22-day old infant girl in Pabna. 

Police on Wednesday rescued the infant from Kazipara village under Himaitpur Union. The arrested suspects are Onni, her husband Helal Mondol, her father Abdullah and mother Ruby, all hailing from Kazipara village.

“Helal and his wife Rubi brought the infant from Dhaka to be sold to a childless couple in Kazipara village. They had also settled on a price of Tk 20,000. Fortunately, the villagers sensed something is wrong and informed the police, who eventually rescued the child,” said Habibur Rahman, sub-inspector (SI) of Himaitpur Police Outpost.

“Helal has confessed that a married couple in Uttara had entrusted their child with him and his wife Onni. They then decided to hand over the infant to a childless couple in Kazipara for money,” the SI told The Business Standard.

The police are trying to locate the original parents of the infant child based on information provided by Helal. After the parents are found, the child will be returned to them. Uttara Police have already been alerted over the matter, said police sources.

Meanwhile, Pallab Ibn Shaikh, probationary officer of Pabna District Social Services, said that the infant would be placed under the care of the Rajshahi Baby Home if her original guardians are not found soon.