The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has disrupted a child trafficking syndicate, leading to the arrest of seven individuals involved in the illicit sale of infants to childless couples through social media advertisements. Officials confirmed the successful rescue of two infants as part of the operation, which unfolded on Friday across multiple locations in Delhi and Haryana.
Acting on intelligence regarding the nefarious activities of the child trafficking network, the CBI conducted coordinated raids, culminating in the apprehension of seven members implicated in the syndicate. The arrested individuals, including Neeraj from Sonipat, Indu Pawar from Paschim Vihar, Aslam from Patel Nagar, Pooja Kashyap from Kanhaiya Nagar, Anjali from Malviya Nagar, Kavita, and Ritu, were taken into custody for further interrogation.
During the operation, authorities uncovered two infants, aged 1.5 days and 15 days respectively, who were intended to be sold by the gang in Keshavpuram. Additionally, a woman involved in the sale of the infants and a male purchaser have been apprehended and are currently undergoing questioning, according to CBI officials.
Further investigations have revealed that the syndicate targeted childless couples seeking to adopt infants, primarily through social media platforms such as Facebook pages and WhatsApp groups. The accused allegedly procured babies from both biological parents and surrogate mothers, subsequently selling them at prices ranging from Rs 4 to 6 lakh per child. Moreover, they are accused of defrauding numerous childless couples by fabricating fake adoption documents.
During the search operations, the CBI seized Rs 5.5 lakh in cash along with other pertinent documents, further aiding in the dismantling of the trafficking network.
The CBI has initiated legal proceedings against ten individuals, including those arrested, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015. This swift and decisive action underscores the agency’s commitment to combating child trafficking and safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children.