Sundargarh: In a failed attempt, a nurse working with a private nursing home allegedly wanted to buy a newborn for Rs 25,000 upon luring a tribal couple at gynaecology and obstetrics department of the district headquarters hospital in Sundargarh district.
According to reports, a youth of Turungamal village under Tumla police limits in Chhattisgarh was in a premarital relationship with a girl of the same village following which, the girl became pregnant. Fearing social stigma, they decided to abort the child and came to the private nursing home in Sundargarh. However, the accused nurse forbid abortion of the child and suggested, the girl should deliver the baby assuring them that she would bear all expenses and take the baby by paying them off on birth.
The pregnant girl and her beau thus married each other and started staying near Goudapada in Badagaon for a few months. As per the deal, the nurse was bearing all the medical expenses of the expectant mother.
The pregnant girl complained of labour pain Sunday, following which she was admitted to the district headquarters hospital. She delivered a baby boy on the same day and as per the pact, the nurse asked the couple to give her the newborn baby. The couple however, refused to do so as they were emotionally overwhelmed an did not want to depart from the child.
Following the refusal, the nurse got angry over the couple and asked them to pay her Rs 25, 000 back which was spent as medical expenses. Somehow the youth managed to arrange Rs 15,000 and paid her.
Meanwhile, the matter came to the fore and an investigation was conducted by the Child Protection Cell, the district health and police officials with the involvement of the Collector. After long-winded interrogation of the nurse, the amount which was given by the couple was returned to them.
Further investigation into the matter is underway.
PNN