Baby trade continues unabated in South Rajasthan

Baby selling is a grave crime and a very sensitive issue, especially pertaining to the remote tribal areas in South Rajasthan where it is not uncommon for the poor tribes to trade their kids out of extreme poverty.
Udaipur police arrested a woman, allegedly for selling an infant to Delhi people
Udaipur police arrested a woman, allegedly for selling an infant to Delhi people

Rajasthan— The subject surfaced once again after the recent arrest of a woman in Udaipur for alleged attempt to sell off a newborn for Rs 2 lakh. The woman was nabbed last week by the Savina police team when people informed the cops of the woman's suspicious behaviour. The cops found the woman standing with a baby in her arms in Sector 9 area. Suspicions were raised when the woman didn't attempt to feed the child,despite his constant crying. She was arrested after she was unable to give satisfactory answers to the police, Yogendra Vyas, the Station House Officer (SHO) told the media. Meanwhile, some child rights defenders argued that though the police have registered a case but they have not included the appropriate sections in the report which may facilitate the accused to get away easily during the trial.

The child has been given in care to a private shelter home in the city.
The child has been given in care to a private shelter home in the city.

Deal struck for 2L

The police said that the accused woman had bought the 7 months old infant from a couple in Jhadol. She gave them 1.5L rupees for the baby and had struck a deal with two commission agents in Delhi to give away the baby for 2lakh rupees. The accused woman who works for an IVF unit in Udaipur is said to have committed baby trades on previous occasions too. While the cops are investigating on the nexus and diving deep to find the mastermind of the racket, the child has been sent to the care of a private shelter home in the city. Surprisingly, none from the District Child Welfare Committee visited the baby or enquired about its well being.

Udaipur police arrested a woman, allegedly for selling an infant to Delhi people
Case against 7 men for urinating, hurling fecal waste at Dalit woman's home

High level inquiry demanded

Bhojraj Padampura, member of the state high power committee to prevent child labour and trafficking demanded a high level probe on the case. He said a detailed investigation should be held and even the infertility curing centres should be examined. He said baby selling is the worst form of human trafficking, as it involves the sale or trade of a child, who are sold and often subjected to abuse and neglect. Former member of the Rajasthan State Child Rights Commission Dr. Shailendra Pandya told The Mooknayak that child trafficking falls under the ambit of section 370 of the IPC and sections 80 & 81 of the Juvenile Justice Act and hence these provisions should be included in the complaint to be investigated accordingly.

Udaipur police arrested a woman, allegedly for selling an infant to Delhi people
55-yr old tribal man helping villagers cross river on a handmade bamboo raft with tyres-tubes

Desperation or Financial Gain?

Baby selling is a serious issue in tribal areas of Rajasthan as it not only violates the rights of the child but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and exploitation. Tribal communities in India, particularly those living in remote and underdeveloped areas, often face a range of socio-economic challenges that make it difficult for them to provide for their children. As a result, many families in these communities may choose to sell their babies to wealthier individuals or organizations, either out of desperation or for financial gain.

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