The Ahmedabad Police’s SHE Team has assumed responsibility for the care and protection of a 15-day-old infant rescued in an inter-state child trafficking operation. Immediate measures have been implemented to ensure the well-being and safety of the newborn. This action follows a collaborative effort by the city’s Crime Branch and the Anti-Terrorism Squad, which uncovered a child trafficking network operating across multiple states.
Officials intercepted a vehicle near Kotarpur, close to Ahmedabad airport, originating from Himmatnagar, leading to the discovery of the newborn inside. Subsequently, three individuals – Roshan Agarwal from Hyderabad, Sumit Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, and Vandana Panchal from Ahmedabad – were apprehended. The baby was promptly handed over to a Child Health Officer for necessary medical evaluation and protection.
A senior officer from the Crime Branch stated that the police have taken charge of the infant’s well-being. Adequate provisions have been made, and the child’s health will be vigilantly monitored, with ongoing medical and other essential assistance. Investigations revealed that the accused individuals had allegedly paid Rs 3.60 lakh to procure the newborn from a trafficker known as Munna alias Yunus in Himmatnagar.
According to the authorities, the plan was to transport the infant from Ahmedabad to Hyderabad for potential sale by an agent named Nagaraj. Both Yunus and Nagaraj are currently evading arrest, with multiple police teams deployed to locate them. The police are striving to identify the biological mother and those involved in facilitating the transaction. ACP Bharat Patel mentioned that Vandana and Roshan have prior records of involvement in child trafficking cases in Hyderabad and resumed similar activities after securing bail.
The police highlighted the existence of a structured and organized network in this case, with newborns often sourced from Sabarkantha and Banaskantha districts. Yunus purportedly purchased the child for Rs 60,000, temporarily kept the baby, and then planned the transfer to Hyderabad. ACP Patel mentioned that separate teams are investigating various aspects of the case, emphasizing that the accused have a history of repeated offenses.
