Boy sold by father for Tk1 lakh to buy iPhone, reunited with grandparents

Police has rescued an 18-month-old boy allegedly sold by his father for Tk100,000 in Dasmina upazila of Patuakhali and handed him over to his paternal grandparents.

The father reportedly bought an iPhone with the money.

Dasmina police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Atikul Islam confirmed the incident.

Police brought the child to Dasmina police station around 10pm Sunday and handed him over to the grandparents, Mofiz Munshi and Mahfuza Begum, in the presence of Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mahmud Hasan, the OC said.

Police also recovered a written document allegedly related to the transaction.

Mahfuza said Maruf took his son from home, saying he would take him to the local market but did not return. The family searched for them and later learned that Maruf had allegedly handed over the child to Imran Hossain for Tk100,000 and spent the money on an iPhone. 

Police arrested Maruf after learning that he had returned from Dhaka, and he admitted to handing over the child to Imran Hossain. Police then contacted Imran and traced the child to his father-in-law’s house in neighbouring Galachipa upazila.

Police released Maruf and Imran after no formal complaint was filed, taking written undertakings from both. In his undertaking, Maruf pledged not to hand over or sell the child again, Atikul added.

UNO Mahmud Hasan said the administration would ensure the child’s safety and welfare and was considering opening a bank account in his name to receive contributions from officials and the public for his future.

Food and other necessary assistance had also been provided to the family, he added.

Relatives said the child’s mother had left the family about a month earlier, leaving the boy behind.

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