Newborn trafficking probe uncovers earlier infant sale; police register fresh FIR
The police investigating the alleged newborn trafficking racket in Kerala have found evidence indicating that the accused sold an infant a few months ago.
District Police Chief Sabu Mathew said a fresh First Information Report (FIR) had been registered suo motu after preliminary investigations confirmed the sale of an infant. “The trafficking appears to have taken place within the State and more persons are likely to be arraigned as accused as the investigation progresses,” he said.
On Wednesday, the police arrested Aneena, a native of Kollam, in connection with the case. They have also moved the court seeking custody of two accused who were remanded on Tuesday for further interrogation.
The case came to light after a 22-year-old woman from Assam lodged a complaint alleging that she had been confined in an isolated house at Theekoy by the accused. In her statement, she told the police that two other women and an elderly woman were also present at the house.
The investigation team is now attempting to trace the wider network behind the racket. Preliminary findings suggest that the accused used fake social media accounts to lure vulnerable pregnant women. The Instagram account allegedly used to bring the complainant from Assam to Kerala has since been deleted.
The group had rented the house at Theekoy about a month ago. Prior to that, they had reportedly stayed at several locations in Idukki district and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The police are extending the investigation to these places to ascertain whether similar offences had been committed elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Assam woman was placed under the care of the Department of Women and Child Development.
