Woman sells off son to release jailed husband

A 20-year-old mother sold her 15-month-old boy to a couple in the Indian state of Odisha in order to bail out her husband who was sent to prison.

She handed over her son for Rs5,000 (about Dh350) only, reports news agency Press Trust of India.

The young woman's mother-in-law filed a police complaint against her when she heard the incident, reveals the agency. The mother admitted that she had sold her son off to get her husband released who had been put behind bars in a theft case.

The woman did not have anywhere to go as her in-laws refused to provide her a roof over her head and her parents had fled the scene in fear of repercussions. A social service group had placed her in a women's home.

Meanwhile, a hunt is on to trace the child and bring him back to his family.

(Home page image courtesy Shutterstock)

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.