CHENNAI: In a rescue operation carried out by the Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection officers, a five-month-old baby girl was rescued from the illegal custody of a 24-year-old woman.
In his complaint lodged with the Kilpauk All Women Police on February 9, advocate Yogesh Kumar stated that his wife had faked pregnancy and brought the baby from a broker.
The case was later transferred to the Egmore All Women Police, who are waiting for medical reports to probe the case.
Kumar told Express that he married Padmini, a furniture store staff in February 2016. Padmini had been residing in Kumar’s house as a tenant for eight years. They fell in love and got married. “By April-end, Padmini informed me and my parents that she was pregnant,” said Kumar.
“Every time, she went for her check-up, she kept avoiding us and said that she would go with her parents. Though we asked her to take at least her husband along for check-up, she kept on making excuses. Also, she never showed us any scan or medical report,” said Kumar’s elder sister seeking anonymity.
“Though the due date for delivery was December 25, 2016, there were no sign of delivery till January 10,” she added.
“Finally, on January 11, Kumar took her to her mother’s house in Egmore and left. Later, he tried to reach his wife over the phone. But as the calls went unanswered he went to his wife’s house to check. His mother-in-law told that she had gone to ATM. After about four hours, he received a call saying she delivered a girl baby and was heading home,” said the sister.
“Surprised that she is returning home four hours after her delivery, we got suspicious. Also the umbilical cord in the baby had dried off. When we questioned her about it, she remained silent,” she claimed.
Meanwhile, Kumar along with his father filed an RTI petition over the deliveries that were reported at Egmore Children’s Hospital on January 11 and the deliveries that were reported in 15 corporation zones. “There was no delivery of Padmini in the documents, which is when we confirmed that she faked the pregnancy,” said Soman, Kumar’s father.
When Express contacted Padmini’s parents, they claimed their daughter was facing dowry harassment. “They had demanded 100 sovereigns of gold and `5 lakh in cash. When we declined to oblige, they have started spreading rumours about Padmini,” they claimed.
“We are waiting for the medical reports,” a senior police officer said.