Delhi Police Busts Infant Trafficking Racket, Rescues Five Newborns
Delhi Police have uncovered a multi-state infant trafficking racket, rescuing five newborns and arresting several individuals involved in the illegal trade. The operation, which began with a tip-off from a resident in Paharganj, central Delhi, led to the dismantling of a network that procured infants from underprivileged families in Rajasthan and Gujarat and sold them to childless couples in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
The investigation started when a woman, Jyoti alias Kamlesh, was observed in Paharganj carrying different infants at regular intervals. Police scanned CCTV footage and gathered human intelligence to track her movements. A decoy operation was set up, with a female police officer posing as a buyer. Kamlesh was arrested on June 5 after delivering an infant to the decoy for a token amount of Rs 20,000.
Her interrogation revealed the involvement of accomplices Shalu, Lalit, Pratibha, and Vipin. Pratibha and Vipin were apprehended while en route to meet a supplier, with nearly Rs 3 lakh in their possession. Further investigations led police to Hira's Multispeciality Hospital in Rohini, west Delhi, which served as the hub for the racket. The hospital's owner, Dr Viveki, is accused of forging birth certificates and medical documents to make it appear the infants were born there.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central District) Rohit Rajbir Singh, infants were kept at the hospital until they were sold. Dr Viveki allegedly acted as an intermediary between traffickers and childless couples. The price for a male child ranged from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh, while a female child was sold for Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. The newborns, aged between four days and one month, were sourced from poor families in Pali (Rajasthan) and Sabarkantha (Gujarat) by accused Sababhai Ghamar alias Kalia.
Police have rescued five infants so far and are continuing their investigation to identify other victims and buyers. The case highlights the ongoing issue of child trafficking in India, driven by poverty, lack of awareness, and demand from childless couples. Authorities urge citizens to report any suspicious activities related to child welfare.
