“The Vijayawada-based child trafficking racket that was busted by the Mahila Police of the NTR Police Commissionerate on March 1 had its trail in the neighbouring States as well,” the police said.
The accused allegedly trafficked infants from Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra and other States, and were selling them to the issueless couples in Andhra Pradesh.
“Members of the gang allegedly sold four babies aged between three days and six months. Three infants were recovered from the accused,” the police said.
“The police registered cases against 10 accused, of whom five were arrested during a raid on a house in the Nunna Police Station limits. Two more accused involved in the racket were arrested on Thursday (March 13, 2025),” the police said.
“Balagam Sarojini of Vijayawada, who is the kingpin, has been arrested by the Medipalli police in Hyderabad. She was earlier released on bail in August 2024,” Police Commissioner S.V. Rajashekar Babu said.
ACP of Mahila Police Station K. Latha Kumari said the police launched a hunt to nab the remaining accused in the case.
“Couples who procured six babies were traced, and efforts were on to trace the parents who purchased the seventh baby,” the ACP said.
“We suspect that the traffickers kidnapped infants and sold them to the gang members in Andhra Pradesh. A detailed investigation is on,” Ms. Latha Kumari told The Hindu on Friday (March 14, 2025).
“The accused trafficked babies from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Telangana and other places. Teams will be sent to Maharashtra, Gujarat and other States to arrest the accused,” Mr. Rajashekar Babu said.
Meanwhile, staff of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) admitted one more baby in the Old Government General Hospital as it was suffering from some infection.
“Three rescued infants have been admitted in Old GGH so far. Of them, one baby who is suffering from jaundice is undergoing treatment in AIIMS, Mangalagiri,” said ICPS protection officer Y. Johnson.
Published – March 15, 2025 04:47 am IST
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