Ahmedabad Crime Branch Arrests Key Accused in Interstate Baby Trafficking Network
In a significant breakthrough, the Ahmedabad crime branch has arrested the alleged mastermind behind an interstate baby trafficking racket, just days after rescuing a newborn being transported for sale. The arrest of Yunushkhan Sindhi, 45, from Danta in Banaskantha district, marks a crucial step in dismantling a sophisticated criminal network that operated across multiple states.
Key Arrest Made After Technical Analysis and Human Intelligence
Based on meticulous technical analysis and human intelligence, with assistance from Banaskantha police, Sindhi was apprehended on Monday. This arrest effectively severs a vital link in the trafficking operation, which allegedly involved purchasing newborns from impoverished families in Gujarat and selling them in various states, including Telangana.
Investigators revealed that Sindhi also facilitated the sale of babies from neighboring Rajasthan, an angle that is now under active investigation. He is identified as the key figure behind the abduction and sale of a 15-day-old infant recently rescued by authorities.
Organized Ring Operating Across Multiple Districts
Sindhi allegedly ran an organized trafficking ring spanning Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and parts of Rajasthan. His arrest follows the earlier apprehension of four accomplices on January 29: Vandana Panchal (34), Sumit Yadav (27), and Maulik Dave (32) from Ahmedabad, along with Roshan Agrawal (42) from Hyderabad. Police intercepted their vehicle near Ahmedabad airport, which led investigators directly to Sindhi.
According to police statements, the Gujarat-based accused worked under Sindhi's direction and were responsible for procuring newborns from vulnerable families. During interrogation, they disclosed that the rescued baby had been purchased near Himmatnagar for Rs 3.6 lakh and was intended for resale in Hyderabad to an agent known only as Nagraj.
Expanding Investigation and Previous Criminal Record
The investigation has now expanded to Rajasthan and Telangana as authorities work to dismantle the interstate nexus completely. Investigators noted that Sindhi had previously been arrested in a 2023 trafficking case registered with Kalupur police under IPC Section 370, yet he continued to operate the racket unabated.
A crime branch officer explained, "In this case, he functioned as a middleman between local suppliers and buyers in other states." Sindhi now faces serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Baby's Welfare and Search for Biological Parents
The rescued infant remains under medical care as police intensify efforts to locate the biological parents. While the general area from which the baby was allegedly purchased has been identified, no concrete leads regarding the parents' identity have emerged so far.
Disturbing Pricing Patterns and Gang Operations
Following the arrest of the four accomplices, crime branch sources disclosed alarming pricing patterns within the trafficking network. Fair-complexioned children reportedly commanded prices up to Rs 7 lakh each, while those with darker complexions fetched between Rs 2-3 lakh. There was also a significant gender-based premium, with girl children sold for Rs 1.5-2 lakh and boy children for Rs 2-5 lakh.
Authorities have seized cash, mobile phones, and vehicles belonging to the accused, and are currently analyzing digital data to trace contacts and payment trails. The widened probe has determined that at least 10 children from Banaskantha and Vav-Tharad districts were allegedly sold to childless couples in Hyderabad.
Targeting Vulnerable Communities and IVF Center Connections
The gang primarily targeted tribal pockets in north Gujarat, where poverty and lack of support systems made families easy targets. A senior crime branch officer explained, "These accused persons identified childless couples with the help of their acquaintances in IVF centers in Hyderabad."
After identifying couples willing to pay for a baby, the accused would hunt for children—preferably fair-skinned and good-looking, as dictated by societal norms. Many trafficked children were born out of wedlock, with parents wanting to relinquish them. In some cases, parents had died, and relatives sold the children to the accused.
The investigation now focuses on following the money trail and examining the role of IVF centers operating across state lines in facilitating these illegal transactions.
