Child trafficking racket in Delhi: Baby boy sold for ₹8 lakh, baby girl for ₹4 lakh

Police in Delhi have uncovered a major organised child trafficking network operating in the Indian capital, involving the sale of newborns stolen from vulnerable families and sold to childless couples for several lakh rupees.

Investigators say the racket systematically targeted economically disadvantaged families, from whom newborns just a few days old were procured, while simultaneously approaching childless couples willing to pay large sums for illegal adoption.

The investigation revealed that the trafficking operation was part of a highly structured network involving brokers, middlemen, hospital-linked staff and buyers. The operation was not limited to Delhi alone but extended across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.

Police said infants were transported from poor families in rural and semi-urban areas and later sold to childless couples in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana through coordinated intermediaries.

The case came to light after a resident of Delhi’s Paharganj area reported suspicious activity involving a woman frequently seen in the locality with infants.

Following the tip-off, police examined CCTV footage and intensified surveillance, eventually identifying a woman named Jyoti alias Kamlesh as a key suspect.

In a covert operation, a female police officer posed as a potential buyer and initiated contact with the suspect. A deal was struck for the sale of a newborn at ₹20,000. Kamlesh was arrested red-handed during the handover on June 5, officials said.

Her arrest became the breakthrough that led to the exposure of the wider trafficking network.

Subsequent interrogation led police to several accomplices, including Shalu, Lalit, Pratibha and Bipin, among others. Authorities later arrested additional suspects linked to operations across multiple states.

Police said the network had deep interstate connections, with operatives active in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

Investigators also recovered approximately ₹3 lakh in cash from those arrested.

One of the most alarming revelations in the probe is the alleged involvement of a private hospital in Rohini’s Begumpur area in West Delhi.

According to police, Heera Multispeciality Hospital was used as a central facility in the trafficking operation. The hospital owner, Dr. Viveki, is believed to be the mastermind of the racket and played a key role in coordinating transactions.

The hospital allegedly served as a temporary holding point for trafficked infants before they were handed over to buyers. Officials said forged documents including birth certificates and delivery records were created to falsely establish legal origin of the children.

Police investigations found that female infants were typically procured for ₹1–2 lakh and resold for ₹3–4 lakh. Male infants were purchased for around ₹2 lakh and sold for as high as ₹6–8 lakh.

The entire financial transaction chain was allegedly managed through the hospital-linked system.

Authorities also arrested Subvai Ghamar alias Kalia from Sabarkantha in Gujarat, identified as a key supplier sourcing infants from impoverished families in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

In Haryana’s Panipat, a couple — Sani Arora and Ritu Arora — were arrested for purchasing children. Another couple from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, was also detained for similar involvement.

Police believe the network has been responsible for at least 30 child trafficking cases over the past year.

Investigators further revealed that the syndicate even fabricated false identities, once selling two unrelated infants as “twins” to a couple for nearly ₹9 lakh.

The children were sourced from different locations and had no biological relation.

Several accused, including Kamlesh and Pratibha, have prior records linked to child trafficking. Pratibha reportedly worked as a technician in hospitals and diagnostic labs and played a key role in forging documents.

Another accused, Omwati, employed as a domestic worker in Gurugram, allegedly assisted in sourcing and transporting infants.

Police credited Sub-Inspectors Pragati and Yamini, along with Head Constable Sushma, for their crucial role in the investigation, surveillance and coordinated operation that led to the dismantling of the network.

At least five rescued newborns have been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee and placed under protective care. Authorities are providing medical treatment and support while efforts continue to trace their biological families.

Investigators are also determining whether the children were abducted, sold or forcibly separated from their families.

Police said the priority now is to ensure the safety of the rescued children and bring all members of the trafficking network to justice.

Sources: The Hindu, Medical Dialogues, The Times of India