Three individuals, including the director of a clinic, have been arrested in connection with the sale of a newborn in Rangpur. The arrests were made after Laboni Begum, a financially disadvantaged woman, filed a complaint with the police.
Laboni was admitted to Holy Current Hospital in Rangpur on January 13. After giving birth to a baby boy through a Caesarean section, she was allegedly asked by the clinic authorities to pay Tk50,000 ($590) for the surgery.
Unable to afford the amount, Laboni’s husband, Wasim, secretly contacted the clinic authorities and sold their child for Tk40,000 ($470). However, Laboni later filed a complaint with the police, leading to the rescue of the child who was returned to her.
The police subsequently arrested three individuals, including the hospital director, MS Rahman Roni, and his acquaintances, Zerina Akhter Bithi and Rubel Hossain Ratan. The arrests took place in the Pirzabad area of the city on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Laboni’s husband, Wasim, remains at large.
Deputy Police Commissioner Abu Maruf Hossain revealed the details during a press conference in Rangpur on Sunday. He stated, We take this matter very seriously and are committed to bringing all those involved to justice. The exploitation of vulnerable individuals, especially mothers and newborns, is a grave offense that will not be tolerated.
The incident has shocked the local community and raised concerns about the illegal trafficking of newborns. Many residents expressed their outrage and called for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Laboni’s case sheds light on the desperate situations faced by economically disadvantaged individuals and the vulnerability they experience within the healthcare system. The incident has prompted authorities to review and reinforce measures to protect pregnant women and newborns, ensuring their safety and well-being.
The arrested individuals are now facing criminal charges, including child trafficking, which carries severe penalties in Bangladesh. The investigation is ongoing, with efforts underway to locate and apprehend Laboni’s husband, Wasim, who remains a key figure in the case.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding the rights and welfare of vulnerable individuals within society. The authorities are calling on the public to report any suspicious activities or cases involving the exploitation of pregnant women and newborns to ensure swift action can be taken to address these crimes.
As the investigation continues, the community awaits further developments in this distressing case, hoping for justice to be served and for stronger safeguards to be implemented to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
