NABI Hussain, 24, came to Delhi from Bihar last week looking for his wife and one-year-old son. Nabi didn’t find his wife but saw his toddler son begging in Amar Colony on Tuesday.

Now, both Nabi and police are looking for his wife, who allegedly sold the child for Rs 5,200. Amar Colony police have registered a case.

Hussain and his wife Arti, both from Bihar, lived in Delhi for 10 years before they returned home after Arti gave birth to a child last September. Hussain told police that two months ago, his wife showed urgency to go to Delhi saying she had some work and unfinished business. Arti, Hussain told police, said she would return soon.

He told police she took the child along.

Hussain came here last week and, after searching his old house and checking with neighbors, came to know that his wife had never got back to where she had left for. On Tuesday, Hussain suddenly saw his son begging in Amar Colony, South Delhi. But when he went to pick him up, one Maya, 30, stopped him saying that the child belonged to her. Hussain called the police who took the child and Maya in custody.

The police said Maya has told them that the child was sold to her by the mother about two months ago for Rs 5,200. “She said that the woman’s name was Arti and she took the money,” an officer said. The police have lodged a case of kidnapping and begging against Maya and are looking for Arti.

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