Mentally unsound woman sexually exploited, babies sold

P. Yacob, father of the mentally unsound woman, who was sexually exploited. Photo: V. Raju

A mentally unsound woman, aged around 25, was found sexually violated repeatedly by miscreants at Mulakalapalli in the district. Local residents said the unmarried woman had delivered one female and two male babies in the last six years.

Her pregnancy was aborted once. Some villagers had allegedly sold two baby boys for Rs.10,000 and Rs.30,000. The victim, who is also dumb, was living in Mulakalapalli with her septuagenarian father along with her six-year-old daughter.

According to locals, the woman was first sexually assaulted some six years ago by a local, D. Subhakar, following which she delivered a baby girl. The Mudinepalli police, following a complaint, had arrested Subhakar, who was convicted in the case. Later, some other unidentified persons also exploited her.

Speaking to

The Hindu , Mandavalli Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Ms. M. Rajeswari said the woman had normal deliveries at Mudinepalli and Gudivada government hospitals. “We are trying to find out as to how the hospital authorities admitted the woman several times following pregnancy, even as her family members failed to give her husband’s name,” the CDPO added.

Meanwhile, Mulakalapalli Anganwadi worker Tantipudi Mangamma said the woman was offered food at the local Anganwadi centre in accordance with norms after finding that she was pregnant. However, immediately after delivery, her family members sold the babies at the government hospitals at Mudinepalli and Gudivada. Village Sarpanch Prathipati Rajesh said police were inquiring into the sexual exploitation of the mentally-challenged woman and the illegality of the sale of the babies. The Mudinepalli police have recorded the statements of Asha worker Vase Sarada, Anganwadi worker and the victim’s father, Yacob.

Mudinepalli Sub-Inspector V. Satish said police were trying to trace the persons who had procured the babies. “We are collecting details of the miscreants in Mulakalapalli and provide protection to the victim through the Women Development and Child Welfare Department,” the SI said. Locals also suspect victim’s father Yacob’s role in the sale of babies.