MEDAK: Police arrested nine people for allegedly selling a newborn girl child in Medak district after the infant's parents reportedly said they could not afford to raise four children.

The case came to light after Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) officials noticed the baby missing from the family's house in Potareddypally Thanda of Kolcharam mandal.

Infant sold through intermediary for ₹3 lakh

According to Medak Deputy Superintendent of Police Prasanna Kumar, Degavat Devi Singh and Sirisha had a baby girl on March 27 as their fourth child. Police said the couple decided to sell the infant, citing financial difficulties.

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Devi Singh allegedly contacted Sharada, a broker from Armur in Nizamabad district, to arrange the sale. Police said she negotiated a deal worth ₹3 lakh with Bomma Kalamma and Lingaiah, a couple from Allinagar in Mulugu mandal of Siddipet district.

The baby was allegedly handed over to the buyers on April 1.

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ICDS Kolcharam supervisor Anasuya reportedly became suspicious after she found the infant missing during a visit to the family's house. On inquiry, officials learnt that the child had been sold.

Following a complaint, Medak town Circle Inspector Mahesh and his team questioned the child's parents and uncovered the alleged racket.

Police registered cases against the infant's parents, the buyers, broker Sharada, and others accused of facilitating the sale. Those booked include Soni of Potareddypally Thanda in Kolcharam mandal, Dharamsot Raju of Veldurthi mandal, Prameela of Sangayiguda Thanda in Medak mandal, Mahender of Aurangabad Thanda in Haveli Ghanpur mandal, and Bhaskar of Mamidi Bhanu Thanda in Nizamabad district.