MARGAO: The Railway Protection Force (RPF), Margao swung into action and foiled an attempt of a couple from Karnataka to sell their seven month-old child to a Chimbel resident through an agent – a woman from Ponda.
The Konkan Railway Police have registered the offence against the child’s father, 32-year-old Asif Khan, under Section 81 of the Juvenile Justice Act who is currently in custody.
Asif’s wife Munni (25), who is sick and the child have been admitted in South Goa District Hospital, Margao for treatment.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) PI Vinod Mishra said that the couple was seen arguing with two other persons near the platform near the Konkan Railway Station, Margao. One of them is believed to be a woman from Ponda.
The PI said they entered into heated arguments over some deal which could be heard loudly.
PI Mishra along with Lady Head Constable Sonali Pawar, who was on patrolling duty on Saturday evening, reached the spot and the entire matter came to light.
The case was handed over to Konkan Railway Police, who after verifying the facts, registered an offence against Asif.
KR Police sources said the family, which comes from a poor background, comprises 32-year-old Asif, his 24-year-old wife, both labourers by profession and their seven-month son is from a village in Bellary, Karnataka.
Sources said the wife often remains sick and due to their poor condition they decided to allegedly sell their seven-month-old child for adoption to a person from Chimbel.
They first contacted a woman from Ponda and struck an adoption deal of Rs 80,000.
On Saturday, they boarded the Howrah Express and reached the Margao Railway Station along with their son where the woman from Ponda and a person, who had expressed his willingness to adopt the child, were present.
RPF sources said the couple alighted from the train and arrived at the platform. When the woman demanded more cash, there were arguments over the deal followed by an exchange of words. When the RPF police team questioned them, the incident came to light.
Further investigation is in progress.
