iPhones are popular worldwide for their durability and security. But blinded by his desire for that luxury item, one father in Bangladesh sold his own 18-month-old son for 100,000 taka. He then used the money to buy an iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The incident occurred in Bara Gopaldi village, in the Betagi-Sankipur union of Patuakhali’s Dashmina upazila.
The accused father is Md Maruf Munshi, son of Mafij Munshi of the same village, who works as a carpenter. Following the incident, police launched an operation to recover the child. The child’s father has been detained.
Maruf said he bought the used iPhone 13 Pro Max from a young man named Imran in the same area for 55,000 taka. He said he spent the remaining 45,000 taka paying off his own debts and on other expenses.
Despite committing such a profoundly unethical act as selling his own child to buy an iPhone, Maruf reportedly showed no sign of remorse. Instead, he was seen openly walking around the area with his new iPhone in hand.
Earlier, on Saturday, August 29 morning, Maruf had left home with his son, telling the boy’s grandmother, Mahfuza Begum, that he was taking him “out for a walk.” When evening came and they still hadn’t returned, relatives began searching for them. At one point, the family learned that Maruf had sold his son for 100,000 taka to a man named Imran Hossain of Ramnathsen village in Alipur union, and used the money to buy an iPhone.
When news of the incident spread on social media and locally, it sparked intense outrage and condemnation nationwide. Police launched a swift operation upon learning of the case. They detained the accused, Maruf Munshi, on Sunday evening, August 30. Around 10 p.m., police recovered the child and placed him in the custody of his grandparents.
Following the incident, Dashmina Upazila Executive Officer Major Mahmud Hasan has stepped in to ensure the child’s future protection and overall safety. Steps have been taken to open a bank account in the child’s name and provide other necessary financial support.