In a major breakthrough, the Matunga police have apprehended the key agent behind a recently exposed baby-selling syndicate. The arrest is a significant step in dismantling a network that allegedly sold five infants, with each transaction netting the agents a disturbing profit. The case, which has shocked the community, was brought to light on December 12 when police uncovered a transaction involving the sale of an infant for Rs 1 lakh. The investigation has so far led to the arrest of 10 individuals, including the main agent, and authorities are working to rescue the remaining victims.
Arrest of Main Agent Abdulkarim Dastagir Nadaf
The investigation, which began with the identification of a mother allegedly selling her infant, quickly expanded to reveal a larger and more disturbing network. Police initially apprehended nine women in connection with the case and rescued the baby from Karnataka. However, further questioning led investigators to Abdulkarim Dastagir Nadaf, a 52-year-old resident of Hukkeri, Karnataka, who is now the prime suspect in orchestrating the racket.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ragasudha R, one of the accused women, identified as Baby Tamboli, provided critical information during her interrogation. She revealed that her husband had been actively involved in facilitating the illegal deals, leading to his subsequent arrest. “This is a serious offence, and we are investigating the matter,” DCP Ragasudha stated.
Tamboli’s testimony indicated that she and her husband had been involved in the syndicate for several years. The couple reportedly sold multiple babies, and police suspect that they may have been operating for an extended period before being caught. “She mentioned that they had been married for three years, and were in a relationship for a decade. We believe they have sold many babies,” the officer added.
Details of the Baby-Selling Syndicate
The police investigation has revealed that the syndicate operated across multiple states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka. With Nadaf’s arrest, police uncovered that the syndicate had sold five infants—two boys and two girls—in Maharashtra and Gujarat, with one baby recovered from Karnataka. The babies were transported using public transport, with the criminals coordinating the logistics through a social media application.
Two of the sold infants were allegedly in Aurangabad, one in Pune, and two in Gujarat. Efforts are currently underway to rescue these children, and authorities are working closely with local law enforcement agencies to locate the babies and ensure their safe return. “We are making all efforts to rescue the remaining babies. The investigation is ongoing,” DCP Ragasudha confirmed.
The details surrounding the operation of the syndicate are deeply disturbing. Authorities revealed that the criminals used social media platforms to arrange and coordinate the movement of the babies from one region to another. The agents booked tickets for the transport of infants, sometimes using public transport, to move the babies across state lines to the couples who had paid large sums of money.
The Role of Technology in the Racket
The use of technology, specifically social media, played a significant role in facilitating the illegal operations of the syndicate. Police have not yet disclosed the name of the app used by the accused, but it is evident that the criminals were well-organized and adept at using online platforms to coordinate their illegal activities. According to DCP Ragasudha, all the accused communicated through this app, ensuring that the transaction details were kept hidden from authorities.
“The app was used by all the accused to stay in touch with one another. They coordinated travel arrangements, booked tickets, and facilitated the exchange of babies from one region to another. This level of coordination shows how deeply entrenched this network was,” the officer explained.
The case underscores the growing concern about the use of social media and digital platforms in facilitating illegal activities. Authorities are now focusing on tracking other individuals who may have been involved or have used similar platforms for illicit purposes. “We are looking into the digital footprint of the accused. The investigation may lead us to more people who were involved,” DCP Ragasudha added.
Financial Aspects of the Racket
The financial details surrounding the baby-selling racket further expose the extent of the exploitation involved. According to the police, each person involved in the syndicate earned between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 for their role in facilitating the sale of an infant. Meanwhile, the clients—couples looking to buy a baby—were charged exorbitant amounts ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per child.
The price of the baby was reportedly decided based on the specific needs and preferences of the clients. Some families may have been looking for a particular gender or age, and the price could fluctuate depending on these factors. The involvement of the syndicate in treating babies as commodities to be bought and sold is one of the most disturbing aspects of the case.
“The price of each baby varied depending on the needs of the client. They were treating these innocent infants as if they were some kind of merchandise, a product to be traded for profit,” an officer involved in the case said. This revelation highlights the gruesome nature of the racket, where human lives were reduced to mere transactions in an illicit business.
The Investigation and Future Developments
As the investigation progresses, authorities are expanding their efforts to dismantle the baby-selling syndicate and rescue the remaining infants. So far, 10 individuals have been arrested in connection with the racket, and police expect that number to increase as the investigation unfolds.
“We have arrested 10 individuals so far, but we believe the number may increase as we continue to probe the network,” said DCP Ragasudha. “Our focus is not only on arresting those involved but also on rescuing the babies and ensuring their safe return to their rightful homes.”
The Matunga police are working with other law enforcement agencies in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka to coordinate their efforts in tracking down the remaining babies. The investigation has garnered widespread attention, and authorities have vowed to pursue the case with the utmost urgency, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
The Dark Reality of Human Trafficking
This case highlights the disturbing issue of human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable infants. Baby-selling syndicates, though rare, are not unheard of, and this incident has raised serious concerns about the growing trend of such illegal activities in India. The involvement of social media in facilitating these crimes has added a new dimension to the issue, complicating efforts to track and dismantle such networks.
Authorities have urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the illegal sale of babies. They have also emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of human trafficking and the need for strict laws and enforcement to protect vulnerable children.
In response to the growing concern, DCP Ragasudha stated, “This is a grave issue, and we are committed to ensuring that all those involved in such illegal activities face the full force of the law.”
The police investigation is still ongoing, and as more details emerge, the full extent of the baby-selling racket and its network may become clearer. For now, the focus remains on rescuing the remaining infants and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
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