Woman among eight held for sale of infant

According to the police, the sale happened in December 2015. An unmarried woman identified as Pavithra became pregnant during her live-in relationship with one Alageswaran. Pavithra, who had delivered a baby boy on December 18, 2015, informed her neighbour, Janaki, about her intention to sell the infant as she was not interested in raising the baby. Janaki had conveyed Pavithra’s decision to her daughter, Sumathi, who later informed her friend, Soorammal, a resident of Thoothukudi.

Thereafter, Soorammal sought the help of her colleague Balamurugan to find a couple to buy the infant. Police said that a differently-abled couple, Sankara Narayan and Veerammal, had earlier approached Balamurugan seeking a baby for adoption. Balamurugan, who was reminded of the couple, contacted Sankara Narayanan. The couple immediately agreed to buy the baby and paid Rs 2 lakh to Balamurugan. Subsequently, the one-week-old boy was handed over to Sankara Narayan and his wife. Meanwhile, an unknown person who was aware of the entire deal had sent a petition to the Commissoner of Police, Madurai. Acting on the letter, the CoP ordered an inquiry during which all the accused confessed to their crime. 

A case under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act was registered and all the eight were arrested.. The baby was rescued and was admitted to a child care centre.