india

Updated: Apr 25, 2019 22:35 IST

A former nurse at a government hospital and her husband were arrested in Tamil Nadu’s Rasipuram on Thursday for their alleged involvement in illegal adoption of babies.

Amuthavalli was arrested along with Ravichandran after she was caught on a purported audio tape discussing rates of babies with a prospective buyer.

“The rate depends upon colour and complexion as well as sharp features of a baby as well as whether it is a male or female. If it is male, the rate would be as high as Rs 4.25 lakh, and for a female, Rs 2.70 lakh,” Amuthavalli is purportedly heard saying.

“If the baby has sharp features, the rate might even go up. But, first, you should pay an advance of not less than Rs 30,000 so that I can begin the process. You can pay the remainder when you come here to take the baby.”

She is heard asking the buyer, Sathish, who had contacted her through a relative, to visit her and see for himself how she operates. Amuthavalli opted for voluntary retirement though she had nearly 10 years of service left and turned to the illegal adoption business, which she describes as a “service”.

Tamil Nadu health secretary, Beela Rajesh, ordered an inquiry when the purported audio went viral on the social media.

Amuthavalli and Ravichandran were arrested on Namakkal district social welfare joint director Usha’s complaint.

According to police officers aware of the probe into the case, Amuthavalli initially maintained she was facilitating adoption through legal means.

But on sustained questioning, she admitted to doing it illegally, they added.

Amuthavalli had come across deliveries of unplanned babies, which she used for illegal adoption with the help some hospital staffers.

She would traffic such babies in the guise of taking them to childcare homes, the officers said. Namakkal police superintendent R Arularasu said the inquiry is still on.