Agartala: Jan 05. Residents of Bagbassa in North Tripura have demanded a fair and scientific investigation, including identification of the biological father, to ensure the paternal identity of a newborn girl who was allegedly sold by her mother shortly after birth and later rescued by the District Child Protection authorities. Locals say establishing the child’s identity is crucial so she can live with dignity and without social stigma in the future.
The incident occurred in Ward No. 1 of Bagbassa Assembly Constituency, where the newborn girl was reportedly sold by her birth mother, Madhabi Choudhury, and later rescued on January 1, 2026, by a joint team of the Childline unit and Bagbasa Police.
According to locals, Madhabi Choudhury had divorced around 4-5 years ago. Villagers alleged that despite earlier written assurances given to the community about not engaging in illegal activities, such incidents continued to occur. They stressed that the child is innocent and should not suffer for the actions of adults, hence the demand that the father be identified through legal means.
Speaking to reporters, Prithviraj Chand, Supervisor of District Childline (CHL), said a complaint was received on December 31, 2025, alleging that a newborn had been sold in Bagbasa Gram Panchayat. During questioning, the mother initially denied pregnancy, citing her divorce, but later admitted to giving birth around 10 days earlier.
She first claimed to have handed over the baby to her cousin’s wife, Tina Debi, but no confirmation was found. Acting on intelligence inputs, the team rescued the baby from Dilip Nath and his wife Champa Nath of Lalchhara. After completing all legal formalities and obtaining necessary consent, the child was handed back to the mother.
Local residents have termed the incident shameful and alarming, calling for stronger safeguards to ensure that no mother is forced to sell her child and no child grows up without identity or protection. They urged authorities to take firm steps so such incidents are not repeated and every child’s right to dignity, identity, and security is upheld.
