Father accused of selling 1.5 year old son for Tk 100,000 to buy iPhone

A carpenter in Dashmina of Patuakhali has been accused of selling his one-and-a-half year old son to a man for Tk 100,000 to raise money to buy an iPhone.

The family claimed that after leaving with the child the father went to Dhaka and admitted to handing the child over to a man. Police have launched an operation to rescue the child.

The incident reportedly took place on Saturday (29 August) morning in the Munshibari area of Bara Gopaldi village under Betagi Sankipur Union of the upazila according to family members and local residents.

The accused father has been identified as Md Maruf, son of Mofiz Munshi of the village. He works as a carpenter. His one-and-a-half-year-old son is named Musa.

According to the family and locals around 8am on Saturday Maruf told his mother, Mahfuza Begum that he would take Musa to the market for a walk. He then left home with the child.

When the father and son did not return after a long time family members began searching for them in different places.

The family claimed that Maruf’s maternal uncle, Bahadur Mia was later contacted and found Maruf in Dhaka. When family members asked him about the matter Maruf initially denied it. However during questioning he allegedly admitted that he had agreed in writing to give Musa to Imran Hossain of Ramanathsen village under Alipur Union in exchange for Tk 100,000 allegedly to buy an iPhone.

He has also been accused of using the money he received after handing over his son to replace an iPhone with a new one.

Maruf’s mother, Mahfuza Begum said Maruf married a woman named Brishti from Savar in Dhaka about four years ago and brought her to their home. Their son Musa was born about three years after their marriage.

She said Brishti went to her parents’ home a month ago following an argument with her husband over a family matter. Maruf stayed at home for a days before leaving for Dhaka. He returned home again before Friday evening.

She further said, "On Saturday morning Maruf told me ‘Mother, dress Musa up. I will take him to the market for a walk.’ Trusting my son I dressed my grandson. Let him go with Maruf.. Even after evening they did not return."

She demanded that the child should be rescued soon as possible and returned to the family.

Regarding the allegation Imran Hossain said Maruf had been telling him for a time that he wanted to give his son to him. Imran claimed that his father in law has five daughters but no son. For this reason he said, he discussed the matter with Maruf. Took Musa in exchange, for Tk 100,000 through a written agreement.

He said he left the child at his father in law’s house on Saturday afternoon.

Dashmina Police Station Officer in Charge (OC) Md Atikul Islam said police began working to rescue the child after receiving a complaint.

“Necessary legal action will be taken after investigating the incident " he said.