Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Mother-daughter duo held for allegedly buying month-old baby

Police in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have arrested a mother and daughter on charges of illegally buying a month-old baby from its birth mother in the Mukundwadi area. The birth mother had approached the mother, alleging that the two women had paid her and the child's father money and taken the baby, and later refused to return him.

According to police, the case began with an acquaintance made at a hospital. The baby's mother, 36, had been living in Mumbai for several years. After separating from her first husband, she was in a live-in relationship with a man. On July 5, she gave birth to the child at Ghati Hospital, where she came into contact with Kaushalya Barku Pawar, 65, a resident of Sanjaynagar who reportedly works as a cook.

As per the complaint, Kaushalya allegedly cited the mother's family circumstances to persuade her, expressing concern about how the child would be cared for and saying that her daughter Seema was ready to take care of the baby. The mother initially refused to give up the child, but she and the child's father were allegedly later persuaded.

Police investigation found that on August 8, Seema Anil Reshwal allegedly paid Rs 1,20,000 in cash, and the transaction handing over the child was allegedly recorded on a bond paper, police said. Custody of the child thus passed from the birth parents to another person. However, a few days later, the mother began missing her child and started asking for him back.

When the mother repeatedly asked for the baby, Seema Reshwal allegedly said the child was not with her at the time. The complaint also states that she was stalled with claims that the baby was with relatives. After repeated requests failed to get the child back, the mother eventually went to Mukundwadi police station, following which police began investigating the case.

Under the guidance of Police Inspector Vivek Sonawane, Assistant Police Inspector Hareshwar Ghuge, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ashok Kachare and constable Rajabhau Kolhe carried out the investigation. During the probe, the alleged buying and selling of the child came to light, police said. It also emerged that Seema Reshwal had a prior case of fraud registered against her.

A case was registered on a government complaint on September 24, after which police arrested Seema Anil Reshwal and her mother Kaushalya Barku Pawar. Both were produced in court and remanded to police custody until September 29. Police are investigating the child's current condition and care, who else may be involved in the alleged transaction, and how the money changed hands. Further details are expected as the investigation continues.