BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 5th January 2026: Residents of Ward No. 1 under Bagbasa assembly constituency have raised a strong demand for a thorough investigation to establish the paternal identity of a newborn girl who was rescued on January 1, 2026, by the North District Child Protection Commission.
Locals informed that the infant’s mother Madhabi Choudhury had sold her three-day-old daughter, who was later recovered by child protection officials. The community insists that the father must be identified so the child can grow up with dignity and not face social humiliation in the future.
Villagers revealed that Madhabi Choudhury had divorced nearly five years ago. They further alleged that her household had previously been linked to unlawful activities, for which she and her family had once given a written assurance to villagers that such practices would not be repeated. Despite this, the recent incident has shocked the community.
Prithviraj Chanda, Supervisor of the North District Childline, informed reporters that on December 31, 2025, a complaint was lodged at the Child Helpline Control Room alleging that a newborn had been sold in Bagbasa. Acting on the complaint, a Childline team accompanied by Bagbasa police reached the location the next day.
Initially, Madhabi Choudhury denied giving birth, citing her divorce. However, under sustained questioning by Childline workers and locals, she admitted to delivering a baby about ten days earlier. She first claimed to have handed the child to her cousin’s wife, Tina Devi, but further inquiry revealed inconsistencies. Following a detailed search and tip-offs, the baby was eventually recovered from Lalchhara residents Dilip Nath and his wife Champa Nath.
After the rescue, Madhabi expressed her willingness to raise the child herself. The Child Protection Commission completed all legal formalities and returned the infant to her mother’s custody.
Local residents have condemned the incident as deeply shameful and socially unacceptable. They emphasized that no mother should ever be compelled to sell her child under any circumstances. The community’s demand is clear: the child’s paternal identity must be established to ensure she does not grow up stigmatized or deprived of recognition.
Residents believe that the newborn girl, being innocent, deserves a fair chance to live with dignity and overcome life’s challenges without facing societal disgrace.
