Mumbai:
A day after MiD DAY's expose on the baby-selling racket flourishing in Ulhasnagar, even as Minister of Women and Child Welfare assured of necessary action in the matter, members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) called for an emergency meet at NGO Divya Prabha's offices in Vartak Nagar, Thane last afternoon.
In a weeklong sting operation by MiD DAY, we exposed how newborns are sold like commodities for Rs 2-3 lakh.
After a tip-off, MiD DAY reporters posed as couple and approached one Vijaya Sonawne, who is a cook in the Children's Home for the Disabled in Ulhasnagar. Sonawne introduced the reporters to another woman, Ratna Ubale, and the duo helped the undercover reporters 'buy' a six-day old baby boy who was sold to the undercover scribes for Rs 2.30 lakh with zero paperwork and within seven days flat, bypassing all legal procedures.
Following the reports, officials of the CWC committee, which included senior members Sumitra Astekar, Pragnya Savargaonkar and Sister Annie, met at the NGO's office in Thane to discuss the course of action against Sonawne and associate Ubale. The officials have taken serious cognisance of the incident, and have asked this paper to submit all the required evidence to proceed with legal action in the matter.
"Letters will be sent to various government departments such as the police commissioner of Thane, the home department, ministry for women and child welfare and other agencies. Depending on the evidence submitted, we will ask the police department to take the requisite action in the case," Savargaonkar said.
Officials speakVarsha Gaikwad, minister for women and child welfare, said, "After going through the MiD DAY report, and following thorough investigations, we have decided to take necessary action against the people responsible for the act."
Fauziya Khan, minister of state, women and child welfare, said, "This is a serious concern. We will carry out an investigation on this issue. After a proper investigation, we will take action."
Vandana Krishna, secretary, ministry for women and child welfare, said, "I don't have any knowledge about the case and would be in an appropriate position to talk once I resume work on Tuesday."
CWC member Sumitra Astekar added, "We have called up the ashram where the baby has been kept and asked them to take extra care of him. Also, we have restricted officials from allowing anyone to meet the baby."