Namakkal : The health minister of Tamil Nadu M Subramanian informed that a government gynecologist and a tout have been arrested in Namakkal district for selling seven newborn babies across Tamil Nadu to childless couples from those couples who had more than two children. The arrests of the government gynecologist and broker Logambal were carried out on Sunday by Namakkal police who were acting upon directives from District Collector Dr. Uma, who had received information about the criminal activities in Tiruchengode. According to Health Minister M Subramanian, Logambal had reportedly been engaged in the illegal trade of babies for over a decade.
Subramanian explained that the modus operandi of the accused involved coercing financially disadvantaged women, particularly those who had already given birth to two children and were delivering a third, into selling their newborns. Male infants were allegedly sold for Rs 5,000, while female babies were purportedly sold for Rs 3,000. “It’s not a case where babies are being stolen and sold but where the poverty of the couple is taken advantage of to convince them to part with their third newborn,” Subramanian said. “This violates the law. There are several steps to be taken to register and legally put-up children for adoption. But, none of this was done. They have done this solely for money. The gynecologist has been an accomplice because of whom they managed to sell several babies.”
To further investigate the matter, a committee consisting of senior police officials and health department representatives has been formed to determine whether this illegal activity was confined to the Tiruchengode government hospital or extended to other locations. Additionally, it has come to the officials’ notice that the accused may be involved in an illegal kidney racket.
The gynecologist has been suspended from her services following her arrest, and the health department plans to take further departmental actions against her. Minister Subramanian emphasized that those implicated in these activities will not go unpunished, and both legal and departmental actions will be initiated against them.