3-month-old infant put up on sale in West Bengal

A woman here was compelled to sell her three-month old baby in order to release her husband, who has been allegedly held by a hospital for the last three months over non-payment of bill.

Her husband, Gobinda Roy, had met with an accident at a construction site in Bhutan where he had gone to earn his living. He is admitted here in the Paramount Hospital, claims the woman.

Hospital authorities however refuse the charges imposed on them.

Ashoke Kumar Khaendelwal, the medical supervisor of the Paramount Hospital said that the family itself is not willing to take the patient.

The ill-fated woman held a placard saying, 'I want to sell my baby to release my husband from the hospital'.

"I want to sell my three-month-old child as there is no other option. This is one of the most unfortunate things that can happen to any mother," said Anima Roy, the wife of Gobinda Roy who she claims has been held by the hospital authorities.

Roy was operated on his wounded leg and the hospital bill rose to Rs25,000. The couple had to sell their house and belongings to clear the amount. But later, the hospital authorities presented Anima a bill of Rs100,000 that she was not able to pay.

"They are asking me to pay the money or else I will not be allowed to leave the hospital. Because of this reason, my family is also not visiting me, as they don't have money. Today, it has been three months that I am here," said Gobinda Roy, a victim of the circumstances.