19 January,2021 08:35 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image
The Mumbai Crime Branch, on Saturday, arrested 8 people, including a pathology lab technician, for selling babies in the guise of âadoption.'
The racket came to light after officers from crime branch received specific information that a woman in Bandra (East) had sold her child. Discreet enquiries were made and eventually, the accused were arrested.
According to the police, the accused targeted new mothers from economically weaker sections and would offer to arrange âadoption' of their child. Rs 60,000 for a baby girl and Rs 1.5 lakh for a boy.
Eight mobile phones from the accused have been recovered and the police hopes that call or chat record might help them to trace the families, the babies were sold to.
ALSO READ
Burglary bid gone wrong: Saif Ali Khan survives murderous attack
Saif Ali Khan attack: How horrific home invasion unfolded
Saif Ali Khan undergoes four-hour surgery for multiple stab wounds
Saif, Kareena rushed into room as intruder threatened staff demanded Rs 1 crore
Mumbai: Body with tied legs found at Mahim Creek, police suspect homicide
While preliminary investigations say that four babies were sold in the last six months, police suspects that the number can be much higher.
The accused have been identified as Arti Singh, Rupali Verma, Rukshar Shaikh, Nisha Ahire, Heena Khan, Geetanjali Gaikwad, Shahjahan Jogilkar, and Sanjay Padam. Singh, a lab technician, and Verma were âagents', while Khan and Ahire were âsub-agents' in the baby-selling racket, Times of India reported.
The accused have been booked under have been booked under the Indian Penal Code sections of human trafficking and the Juvenile Justice Act.
