In a shocking incident, a 20-day-old infant was reportedly sold to unidentified persons by her grandmother in Shimoga on Sunday.
Nagi Bai (27), a resident of Kodatalu village near here, is the baby’s mother. Owing to health problems, she was admitted to the Government McGann Hospital here a week ago, and was being looked after by her mother, Somli Bai.
Police said that, on Sunday, Somli Bai had handed over the baby to two persons after receiving Rs. 1,000 from them. The hospital authorities immediately intimated the police. Somli Bai has told the police that her daughter was not in a position to look after the baby, as she was suffering from serious health problems, and added that Nagi Bai had also consented to the sale.
Superintendent of Police Koushalendra Kumar told The Hindu that a case was registered against Somli Bai.
Mr. Kumar said that an investigation had been launched, and Somli Bai had been interrogated. The whereabouts of the child are yet to be established, as the grandmother had not collected the contact number of those who took her.
A special team has been formed to track the child. The hospital authorities have been asked to provide the visuals of the surveillance camera installed there. The hospital staff will also be questioned, he said.
