Man detained over selling own child in Patuakhali, toddler rescued

Police have detained a man for allegedly handed over his one-and-a-half-year-old son in exchange for Tk 52,000 at Dashmina in Patuakhali.

However, the child has since been rescued from being sold at Char Bishwas in Galachipa, police said.

The father, Maruf Munshi, 22, sold the child to raise money to buy a new iPhone, according to his family members.

The accused father, Maruf, has been transfered from Dhaka to Dashmina police station on Sunday night, police confirmed.

Maruf, son of Mofiz Munshi of Boro Gopaldhi village in Dashmina, works as a mason in Dhaka.

According to police and family members, Maruf and his wife Brishti Akter had been involved in a family dispute and were living separately. The child had been staying with his grandmother, Mahfuza Begum.

Mahfuza alleged that Maruf took the child out on Saturday morning and did not return by evening. The family later learned that Mahibul, the father-in-law of Maruf’s Dhaka co-worker Imran Hossain, had taken the child after a financial transaction.

The family claimed the child was valued at Tk 100,000 and that Maruf received Tk 52,000 in advance before handing over the child in writing. They further alleged that he used the money, along with his old iPhone and additional cash, to buy a new iPhone.

Maruf, however, denied selling his son. In police custody, he claimed he had taken Tk 52,000 from Imran and his father-in-law to repay debts and had entrusted the child to them for care, not sold him.

Atikul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Dashmina Police Station, said, "An operation has been launched after the allegation spread on social media and rescued the child before detaining Maruf."

He said the family had yet to submit a written complaint, creating legal complications in proceeding against those involved.

"The police will consult the upazila administration and the Department of Women Affairs before deciding on further action," the OC added.