Child Trafficking Ring Busted: Infants Called 'Files', Payments in Cash at Delhi Hospital
New Delhi: A multi-speciality hospital in northwest Delhi's Begumpur has become the centre of a major investigation into an alleged interstate child trafficking network. The Hira Multi Speciality Hospital, whose owner Dr Viveki is among 13 people arrested in the past 15 days, remained closed on Friday with its shutters down.
Police have arrested 13 individuals, including Dr Viveki, for their alleged involvement in a syndicate that reportedly operated for over a year. The accused are charged with trafficking newborn babies, some of whom were sold for amounts as high as Rs 10 lakh.
Investigators have recovered five infants so far and are conducting raids in parts of Uttar Pradesh to locate two more. A parallel probe is underway to identify the biological parents who sold their children.
Among those arrested are Mukesh (37) and his wife Reema Pal from Gwalior. According to police, the couple, unable to conceive due to medical complications, allegedly purchased two newborns. Mukesh, a truck driver, and his wife had visited several IVF centres in Delhi and Gurgaon before coming into contact with accused Pratibha, who allegedly offered to help them become parents.
Police claim the couple told their family that Reema was pregnant and moved to Gurgaon in September 2024, claiming she needed better medical care. On May 17, 2025, Pratibha allegedly directed them to Hira Hospital, where records were fabricated to show Reema had been admitted for delivery. The couple was initially offered a baby boy for Rs 8 lakh, but when a baby girl was also available, the accused allegedly offered both for Rs 9 lakh. The entire payment was made in cash, police said.
Another couple, Sunny Arora and Ritu Arora from Haryana's Panipat, allegedly purchased a baby boy for Rs 6 lakh in cash in March 2025.
The mastermind has been identified as Sayabhai Ghamar alias Kalia, arrested from Sanwar Kantha. According to officials, Kalia initially assisted a man named 'Sardar' whom he met outside a temple where newborns were allegedly being sold. Kalia received Rs 5,000 for his assistance. He continued working with Sardar before deciding to start his own operation, contacting Pratibha to run the business separately.
Police revealed that gang members referred to infants as 'files'. All transactions were conducted in cash. Infants were transported by car, with driver Vipin (arrested) and women Jyoti or Shalu travelling to Pali in Rajasthan to exchange money for babies with Kalia. A man would accompany them to pose as a family if stopped.
The babies were kept at Hira Hospital before being handed over to buyers. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities tracing more victims and suspects.
