Balasore (Odisha), February 14 Odisha Police on Saturday rescued a two-and-a-half-year-old boy who was allegedly sold by his father to a man for Rs 1 lakh, after which both were detained, officials said.
The incident, which took place in the Barisahi village within the Nilgiri Notified Area Council area, came to light after a video purportedly showing the father bargaining with a prospective buyer went viral. A local activist subsequently lodged a complaint at the Nilgiri police station.
However,
"The baby was rescued from the Chiminibhati area and handed over to the child welfare committee. Further investigation is underway," said Nilgiri sub-divisional police officer Pramod Kumar Mallick, adding that police have detained two people in connection with the case.
Police identified the father as Rakesh Kumar Behera alias Kua, a mason, who allegedly received Rs 50,000 as the first installment.
Behera claimed that financial hardship prompted the move.
"We have four children and are facing difficulty in raising them. A known person arranged the buyer, and I handed over the baby," he told reporters.
Police sources said that Behera had married twice, and the child allegedly sold was born to his second wife, who was living separately from him.