Newborn son sold for Rs 2.5 lakh in Ludhiana; Mother, Asha worker, employee booked

September 15, 2025

Ludhiana: A shocking case of child trafficking has surfaced in Roop Nagar, Ludhiana, where a woman allegedly sold her newborn son for Rs 2.5 lakh with the help of her mother, an Asha worker, and a private hospital employee.

The matter came to light after the child’s grandfather lodged the complaint following which the police initiated a probe and registered an FIR.

The accused have been identified as the newborn’s mother Reeta, her mother Prema Devi, Asha worker Renu, and hospital staffer Ram Kumar. The FIR has been registered against them after a complaint by Gajraj Singh, Reeta’s father-in-law and a resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.

Gajraj Singh stated in his complaint to the police that his daughter-in-law had informed the family on July 15 that she had delivered a stillborn baby girl and claimed that the last rites had already been performed.

At that time, complainant’s son and Reeta’s husband, Sunny (29), was admitted to a hospital in Agra due to prolonged illness. Gajraj Singh said he didn’t want to share about stillborn baby girl to Sunny, fearing it could worsen his condition. Tragically, Sunny passed away the following day.

The family initially believed Reeta’s version, but doubts grew when they checked Sunny’s mobile phone, which he had left with Reeta. Gajraj and his younger son found some recorded calls in which Reeta and Asha worker Renu could be heard discussing the newborn’s sale for Rs 2.5 lakh.

Gajraj said the family was shattered by the revelation. “We never thought Reeta could betray us in this way. More painful than the deception is knowing that an innocent child was sold like a commodity,” he said, adding that the police registered an FIR only after the intervention of the village Sarpanch.

ASI Baldev Singh said that the accused are currently absconding. A case under sections 143(4) (child trafficking) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the BNS has been registered at Dugri police station, and efforts are on to track down the suspects.