In a shocking case that has reignited debate over Punjab’s deepening drug crisis, police in Mansa district arrested a drug-addicted couple and a scrap dealer for allegedly selling the couple’s six-month-old son for ₹1.8 lakh. The horrifying act, driven by desperation and addiction, has stunned the state and prompted immediate intervention from child rights authorities.
The Arrest and Rescue Operation
On Saturday, the Bareta police in Mansa arrested Sandeep Singh and Gurman Kaur, the child’s biological parents, along with Sanju Singh, a scrap dealer from Budhlada town who allegedly “purchased” the baby.
According to Station House Officer (SHO) Baldev Singh, the trio has been charged under Section 143(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for human trafficking. Police said Sanju’s wife, Aarti, who was also involved in the deal, has been named in the FIR but is still absconding.
Following swift police action, the infant was rescued and handed over to the Mansa Child Protection Unit, which placed the baby in Sri Anant Anath Ashram, a government-approved orphanage in Nathana village, Bathinda.
How the Shocking Crime Unfolded
Investigators said that the couple, residents of Akbarpur Khudal village, had been struggling with drug addiction and severe financial distress. Unable to care for their child, they allegedly agreed to give him to Sanju Singh, a local scrap dealer who wanted a male child.
The transaction took place in Budhlada town, where the couple accepted ₹1.8 lakh in exchange for the infant. Police said the parties even signed a handwritten “adoption deed”, which is now being examined as evidence.
Locals told authorities that the couple used the money to buy drugs and basic household items.
Family Member’s Complaint
The case came to light after Gurman’s elder sister, Ritu Verma, a resident of Bool village in Ludhiana, filed a complaint with the police. She told authorities that her sister and brother-in-law had been coerced and exploited by the scrap dealer and his wife, who took advantage of the couple’s drug dependence and poverty.
Verma’s statement led to the registration of a human trafficking case, triggering a rapid investigation and the eventual rescue of the child.
Parents’ Admission and Background
In a startling admission during a media interaction, both Sandeep Singh and Gurman Kaur confessed to having sold their only child because of their addiction. “We had no money left and were desperate,” Gurman reportedly told police.
Authorities revealed that Gurman was once a promising wrestler who represented her district at the state level before falling into drug addiction after marriage. Her husband, Sandeep, is unemployed and reportedly also addicted to narcotics.
Police said the couple’s addiction had left them in severe debt and unable to provide even basic care for their infant son.
Opposition Slams Government Over Drug Crisis
The disturbing incident has triggered a political storm in Punjab, with Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa (Congress) accusing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of failing to tackle the state’s worsening drug menace.
Bajwa said the sale of a child to fund a drug habit reflects the “horrifying depth of Punjab’s drug crisis.”
“This case lays bare the rot that addiction has caused. A mother who was once a state-level wrestler, and a father who lost his way to drugs, sold their infant for ₹1.8 lakh. This is not just a crime — it’s a tragedy that stains the conscience of Punjab,” Bajwa said.
He demanded that the state government take immediate and comprehensive action to strengthen rehabilitation programs, curb drug trafficking networks, and protect families vulnerable to addiction.
Child Rights Commission Steps In
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, Kanwardeep Singh, the Chairman of the Punjab Commission for Protection of Child Rights (PCPCR), issued a notice to the Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).
The commission directed the SSP to:
- Ensure the recovery and safety of the infant.
- Handover the child to the district’s Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
- Take legal action against all individuals involved in the sale.
- Submit a detailed report by October 31.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sikander Singh Cheema later confirmed that the child had been safely handed over to the CWC.
“The baby is now under proper care and medical supervision,” DSP Cheema said.
Police Investigation and Next Steps
Police officials said investigations are ongoing to determine if a larger trafficking network was involved. “We are also verifying whether the so-called adoption deed was used as a front for illegal sale,” SHO Baldev Singh stated.
Authorities are now:
- Tracking Aarti, the absconding co-accused.
- Examining the financial transactions between the two families.
- Investigating whether the accused had attempted to sell the child to others earlier.
Police sources said that once the child’s safety and medical condition are fully verified, the CWC will decide on his long-term custody and rehabilitation.
A Mirror to Punjab’s Drug Menace
The incident underscores the devastating social fallout of Punjab’s decades-long battle with drugs. Experts say addiction continues to devastate families, destroy livelihoods, and fuel crimes born out of desperation.
While the Punjab government has claimed progress in curbing drug trafficking and expanding de-addiction centres, recent cases like this one highlight persistent gaps in ground-level enforcement and rehabilitation.
Social workers argue that economic distress, lack of awareness, and easy access to narcotics have created a cycle that traps vulnerable families.
“This case is not just about one couple — it’s about an entire system failing to protect its citizens from addiction,” said a child welfare activist in Bathinda.
Conclusion
The Mansa baby trafficking case has exposed the brutal intersection of poverty, addiction, and neglect in Punjab’s hinterland. While police have acted swiftly to arrest the culprits and rescue the child, the episode raises urgent questions about the state’s capacity to fight its drug epidemic and protect children from its consequences.
As the rescued infant now finds safety in a state-run orphanage, the tragedy stands as a grim reminder that Punjab’s war on drugs is far from over — and that its victims are often the most innocent.
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