MADURAI, March 16: A woman, who allegedly sold her 23-day-old son to another woman with the help of brokers was arrested in Dindigul on Friday, along with 10 others.
Petchiammal (25), widow of Palanichamy of Ethilodu near Nilakottai was living with her mother after her husband died two years ago. She had conceived due to an illicit relationship and delivered a baby boy about 23 days ago at the Dindigul government hospital. A broker in the region, Murugan of Gandhigram, had approached her and asked her if she was willing to give up the child for adoption to which she agreed.
On the other hand, Murugan contacted one Vasuki, wife of Neelamohan of Mannargudi, whom he found out had registered with the Gandhigram Trust for a child through adoption. As he had assured her of a male child, the woman expressed interest in his offer.
Murugan then connived with nine others including Rajamani of E Kovilpatti, Aandi, Arivuselvi, Parvathi, Chinnasamy, Ayyappan of Samayanpatti and Nandeeswari, to extort money from Vasuki for the child.
They had demanded Rs 2 lakh, which she agreed to give. Then the gang approached Petchiammal and gave her Rs 50,000 in exchange for the infant.
However, other villagers became suspicious when they realised that the infant was missing. Upon conducting inquiries one of the accused, Aandi confessed to the crime. The village administrative officer Sivakumar lodged a complaint with the police. As interrogation revealed that the child was in Mannargudi, police went there and rescued the baby from Vasuki and was handed over to the government hospital. The infant is expected to be given to a home.
Meanwhile, the 11 people including Petchiammal were arrested and remanded in custody.
