Bengal mother takes back baby she sold earlier

Following assurances from the administration, a woman in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district took back her infant son whom she earlier sold to a childless couple for Rs.13,000, an official said Thursday.

The mother, a slum dweller, sold the infant a few days after his birth due to abject poverty.

Subsequently, the administration swung into action and rescued the child, placing him in the custody of the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

"Following our counselling and assurances of help, the woman said she was willing to take back the child. After completing the procedural formalities, the child was handed over to the mother," district social welfare officer Bijoy Kumar Roy said.

Though the district administration initiated a probe into the matter, it did not arrest the mother who already has three daughters and begs for a living.

"While the administration found it prudent not to arrest the woman, we will be keeping an eye on her so she does not try to sell the baby again," said Roy.