A one-and-a-half-year-old boy was rescued and reunited with his paternal grandparents in Dasmina upazila of Patuakhali last night after his father allegedly handed him over to a man for ৳ 100,000.

Police picked up the boy’s father, Maruf Munshi, from his home at Baro Gopaldhi village after learning that he had returned from Dhaka that evening, said Atikul Islam, officer-in-charge of Dasmina Police Station.

During questioning, Maruf allegedly admitted that he had handed his son to Imran Hossain for ৳ 100,000.

The child's mother left the family home about a month ago leaving him behind, relatives said.

Police then contacted Imran, who said the child was at the house of his father-in-law, at Char Kajal village of neighbouring Galachipa upazila.

The father-in-law arrived at Dasmina Police Station with the child around 10:00pm. In the presence of Dasmina Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mahmud Hasan, the child was handed over to his paternal grandparents, Mofiz Munshi and Mahfuza Begum.

Police also recovered a written document related to the alleged transaction.

As there was no specific formal complaint against Maruf or Imran, police released both men into the custody of their respective families after taking written undertakings, the OC said.

According to Mahfuza, Maruf returned home around 8:00am on Saturday and took the child, saying he would take him to the local market. When the two had not returned by evening, the family began searching for them.

The family later reached Maruf through his maternal uncle when Maruf said he handed over the child to Imran for ৳ 100,000 and had spent the money on an iPhone.

UNO Mahmud Hasan said the administration would take steps to ensure the child's welfare, including opening a bank account in his name so that officials and members of the public could contribute towards his future. Food and other assistance had also been provided to the family, he said.