New Delhi [India], June 18 (HBTV): Delhi Police have busted a major human trafficking syndicate involved in the illegal sale and purchase of newborn babies, arresting 12 persons, including the alleged kingpin of the racket, a woman who claimed to be a doctor.
According to police sources, the woman owns a nursing home and allegedly represented herself as a doctor. However, authorities are verifying her educational and professional credentials and have not yet confirmed whether she is a qualified medical practitioner.
Investigators suspect that the syndicate procured newborn babies from different states, manipulated birth records and related documents, and sold the infants to prospective parents for lakhs of rupees.
Five newborn babies were rescued during the operation. Among them, one infant is four months old, two are 27 days old, one is 20 days old, and another is just five days old.
The accused were arrested from Delhi and Rajasthan. Preliminary investigations have also revealed that some of the babies were sold in Haryana.
Police sources said the probe has so far uncovered evidence suggesting that more than 20 newborn babies may have been trafficked through the network.
Further investigation is underway.
Earlier, on June 2, Uttar Pradesh Police rescued a 17-year-old child who had been missing for several days and busted a gang allegedly involved in child trafficking in Hapur district.
Speaking to ANI, DSP Varun Mishra said four accused persons had been arrested.
He said the gang was exposed during an investigation launched to trace the missing child.
'A 14-15-year-old boy had gone missing a few days ago and was being searched for. The investigation revealed that a gang involved in child trafficking is active, and the incident was carried out by them. Four accused have been arrested. A 17-year-old child was rescued from their possession. These people would try to find children of all kinds. All four are residents of different districts,' he stated.
(ANI)