Woman sells newborn daughter in Bengal

Forced by abject poverty, a woman sold her newborn daughter for Rs.13,000 to a childless couple in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, an official said Saturday.

The baby born May 25 has been now rescued and is in the care of the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

"The mother is a slum dweller and begs for a living. She sold the newborn - her fourth child - for Rs. 13,000. After we got to know about it, we traced the baby and she is now under the care of CWC," an official of the district social welfare department told IANS.

"While the mother, and the couple who bought the child have not been arrested, we have submitted a report about the incident to the district administration which may take suitable action," added the official.