By TC News Desk
Agartala, 17th May 2025 : Tripura has been rocked by a shocking incident in which a three-year-old girl was allegedly sold and trafficked from a government-run home under the state’s Social Welfare and Social Education department. The case surfaced in Narsingarh State Founding Government Home in Agartala has triggered outrage among officials and citizens alike with calls for stringent legal action.
Sources informed that a woman from Baniacherra under Melaghar police station had admitted her two daughters to the government home due to financial difficulties. About six months back, she sought to place her youngest daughter aged three under state care once again. Welfare Officer Nivedita Datta allegedly instructed the mother to bring the child to the West District Court in Agartala.
The mother complied believing she was enrolling her child in a government home. However, she claims she was coerced into signing documents and offered Rs 10,000, which she refused. “I thought I was handing my child over to the care of the government, not selling her,” the distraught mother told reporters.
Days later, when she attempted to visit her daughter at the home, she was denied access. Repeated requests to see the child were ignored, raising suspicions. Confronting the officials only uncovered more disturbing details. “When I asked where my daughter was, I was threatened—warned that if I pursued the matter, my other two daughters would be removed from the home,” she alleged.
The case reached the Sepahijala District Child Welfare Committee, which eventually located the mother and launched a search for the missing child. Investigations identified three key individuals allegedly involved—Welfare Officer Nivedita Datta, her husband Advocate Arindam Deb and former home superintendent Bharati Kapali.
Upon learning of the allegations, district officials and social welfare authorities intervened, conducting late-night inquiries at the Narsingarh home. “There were inconsistencies in statements given by the officials. This raised serious concerns,” said an administrative officer who was part of the inquiry team.
Following these revelations, a formal complaint was lodged against the accused at Melaghar police station this afternoon. Melaghar police station’s second officer Uttam Kumar Pal confirmed “A General Diary (GD) entry has been registered in the police station. As the place of incident is in Agartala, the case will be transferred to West Agartala police station tomorrow morning.” However, West Agartala police station staff confirmed that such case has not received yet. The Sepahijala District Magistrate and State Police Headquarters have taken note of the case.
Today, the mother, who is still searching for her daughter made a public appeal to the Chief Minister. “I want justice. I want my child back,” she pleaded, urging the government to take immediate action.
The case has sparked condemnation across the state, with citizens demanding stringent action against those responsible. “If children are not safe in government homes, where else can the vulnerable seek shelter?” questioned a local activist.
While the government continues to run awareness programs about child protection, this incident raises critical concerns. “This is unacceptable. We demand strict measures against those involved, including systemic reforms to prevent such cases,” said a child rights advocate.
