A 31-year-old doctor, who runs a hospital in Ulhasnagar, has been arrested by the Thane crime branch for selling a newborn. Child had been born to an unmarried woman at his hospital
A 31-year-old doctor, who runs a hospital in Ulhasnagar, has been arrested by the Thane crime branch for selling a newborn.
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The child, Dr Rajkumar Sadashiv Jadhav told the police, had been born to an unmarried woman at his hospital. A case was registered against him at the Vitthalwadi police station and he was produced in court on Friday. He was later released on bail.
The arrest was the result of a joint operation conducted by the Child Protection Unit, Thane, along with the anti-human trafficking cell of the Thane crime branch.
Parmeshwar Dhasade, child protection officer, Thane district, said he received a tip-off on March 15, informing him that Jadhav, who owns Kreeti Hospital near SST College, was looking to put a newborn up for adoption without following government procedures.
A team of three people was formed, with counsellor Kavita Dohipode posing as a mother looking to adopt a child, and child protection officers Praful Tayade and Pradeep Rahane posing as Dohipode’s relatives.
"On March 15, Dohipode met Jadhav along with Tayade, and told him that she had been married for eight years and despite fertility treatments, was unable to conceive," said Dhasade.
He added that Jadhav told Dohipode that the hospital had an eight-day-old child and that he was ready to cut an adoption deal with her. "Jadhav asked Dohipode, whether her husband earned a monthly salary of over R40,000 and sought documents including the Aadhaar card, PAN card and proof of residence. He further suggested that they go through a court procedure where she’d have to pay Rs 15,000," added Dhasade.
Dhasade then approached Bharat Shelke, assistant commissioner of police, Thane crime branch, and the case was handed over to the anti-human trafficking cell. On March 16, a member of the team posed as Dohipode’s husband and met Jadhav.
Jadhav told the ‘couple’ that if they went by government protocol, they would have to wait for four years to adopt the child. However, he would give them the baby within a day and all they needed to do was make an affidavit and submit it in court after which they’d get a birth certificate for the infant from the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation. Jadhav.
On March 17, the ‘couple’ was handed the baby girl after submitting the documents. "The accused gave a letter stating the adoption on his letterhead. He also said he had a letter from the girl’s biological mother saying she had no objection to the adoption," added Dhasade.
Shakeel Shaikh, senior police inspector, anti-human trafficking cell, said, "Our officers arrested the doctor and a case was registered under sections of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015."
Kalyani Patil, assistant police inspector, anti-human trafficking cell, said, "The doctor said the child was delivered at the hospital by a 23-year-old Ghatkopar resident who didn’t want her. So, she gave her up for adoption."
The authorities said he could have informed government authorities like the Child Welfare Committee and followed the norms. "But, as he undertook an illegal procedure, he has been booked," added Dhasade.
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