PESHAWAR, June 6: A local court on Monday rejected bail to a female doctor arrested on charges of selling newborn babies at a private healthcare facility, an act she does not repent, according to the police.

Dr Fatima, who was caught by police in a sting operation, allegedly sold illegitimate children she saved.Judicial magistrate Qudratullah Khattak observed that the petitioner, Dr Fatima, did not deserve the concession of bail at such an early stage of the case.

The petitioner was arrested by the local police on June 2 and an FIR was registered against her at the concerned Tehkal police station.

The police had also allegedly recovered a five-month-old baby boy from her possession whom she was reportedly selling for Rs360,000.

The petitioner's counsel argued that the petitioner had not committed any offence and was falsely implicated in the case. He argued that initially the police had registered the case under section 371-A (selling for purpose of prostitution) and 371-B (buying for purpose of prostitution) of Pakistan Penal Code, which were irrelevant clauses. Later, he argued, the police incorporated section 372 and 373 PPC, which were also not applicable.

The assistant public prosecutor, Jawed Ali, opposed the petition arguing that the applicability of section of laws were irrelevant at this stage and such issues could be raised during trial. He added that they had pointed out to the police to include section of the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance, 2002.

Mr Ali argued that the petitioner was caught red-handed while negotiating the deal. He pointed out that the police had conducted a sting operation as a female constable was under cover and she had visited the lady doctor.

He argued that the lady constable pretended to be a customer and asked the doctor that she wanted to adopt a child.

He added that the deal was finalised on return of Rs360,000 and on the day of handing over the baby the police raided the health facility and recovered the infant.

The prosecution has alleged that the accused was dealing with cases of illegitimate deliveries and the couples involved in such cases used to leave behind the infant. It is alleged that in past the babies had been sold from Rs150,000 to Rs360,000.

The police claimed that the doctor was not regretful over what she did and said that she had not done anything wrong as she had saved the future of the babies.