Busting an inter-state child trafficking gang, The telangana police rescued 13 babies and arrested 11 people in this connection
The case cracked open when a complaint was filed by reporter Manyam Sai Kumar on May 22nd, the police in Medipally acted swiftly and arrested a doctor, Shobha Rani, and her 2 associates while attempting to sell a baby girl.
image source – The Indian express
Following the money trail
The arrest of the doctor and her associates unraveled a larger network spanning multiple states and arresting a total of 11 individuals in 5 days. Following the initial arrest, the investigations also led police to other members of the trafficking ring operating from Ghatkesar and Vijayawada. Confessions from these individuals revealed that the gang was procuring babies from two people, Kiran and Preethi, based out of New Delhi, and another person, Kannaiah, based in Pune.
Nearly 50 babies were given away from these two cities to the gang, which would then pass them on to agents and eventually to childless couples in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The price ranged from Rs 1.8 lakh to Rs 5.5 lakh per baby. The gang members used to receive a profit of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh after paying off commissions to agents and middlemen.
Legal action taken
The arrested individuals have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to trafficking (Section 370), selling minors for prostitution (Section 372), and abetting the buying of minors for prostitution (Section 373 r/w 34). Additionally, they face charges under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, Sections 81, 87, 88.
image source – Times of India
Meanwhile, a relentless search is underway to locate and apprehend the suppliers in Delhi and Pune. While, the rescued children, ranging from one month to three years old, are now under the care of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs). The top priority for law enforcement remains rescuing all the children entangled in this horrific trafficking scheme.
