Ahmedabad Police and Gujarat ATS Dismantle Interstate Newborn Trafficking Network
In a significant breakthrough against organized crime, the Ahmedabad city crime branch, in a meticulously planned joint operation with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), successfully busted an interstate racket, rescued a newborn baby, and apprehended four individuals on Thursday. This operation underscores the persistent and evolving threat of child trafficking, particularly targeting vulnerable infants.
Coordinated Operation Based on Specific Intelligence
The operation, executed on Wednesday, was initiated following precise intelligence inputs developed by the Gujarat ATS and promptly shared with the city crime branch. Police officials revealed that the accused were in the process of transporting the newborn from Gujarat to Telangana, where the child was allegedly destined to be sold to an agent connected to an organized trafficking network.
Upon receiving credible information about the group's activities, the city crime branch swiftly formed a dedicated team. A strategic trap was laid near the Kotarpur pumping station, adjacent to the Ahmedabad airport boundary wall—a recognized transit corridor linking north Gujarat to the airport and major highways exiting the state.
Interception and Arrest of Accused Persons
On Wednesday, the police team intercepted a white Maruti Ertiga vehicle traveling from Himmatnagar towards Ahmedabad airport. During a thorough inspection of the vehicle, a newborn baby was discovered in the possession of the occupants, leading to the immediate detention of all suspects for interrogation.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Vandana Panchal (34), a resident of Odhav, Ahmedabad
- Roshan Agrawal (42), a resident of Hyderabad, Telangana
- Sumit Yadav (27), a resident of Vatva, Ahmedabad
- Maulik Dave (32), the vehicle driver from Ahmedabad
Police investigations indicate that the accused were functioning as carriers and facilitators within a larger network that procures newborns from Gujarat and transports them to other states, with Telangana being a primary destination where buyers or agents are pre-arranged.
Confessions and Financial Details Emerge
During interrogation, the accused confessed to purchasing the newborn from an individual identified as Munna, near Himmatnagar, for Rs 3.60 lakh. The infant was subsequently brought to Ahmedabad and was en route to Hyderabad, where an agent named Nagraj was expected to take custody.
Authorities believe that the final transaction price was substantially higher, suggesting the involvement of multiple layers of middlemen in the racket. "This is not an isolated deal but part of a chain where each link earns a cut," emphasized a senior police officer.
Seizures and Legal Actions
In connection with the case, police seized Rs 10,050 in cash, four mobile phones valued at approximately Rs 55,000, and the Maruti Ertiga vehicle used for transporting the child. Digital data from the mobile phones is currently being analyzed to uncover call records, financial trails, and contacts associated with similar illicit transactions.
A formal case has been registered against the arrested accused, along with the alleged seller and buyer, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Rescue and Ongoing Investigations
The rescued newborn was promptly handed over to a child health officer for immediate medical care and observation. Police confirmed that the child is stable and under professional supervision. Concurrently, efforts are intensifying to trace the biological parents of the infant, determine the circumstances of the sale, and investigate potential coercion, deception, or exploitation.
"Tracing the source is as crucial as apprehending the carriers. Only then can the entire chain be effectively dismantled," stated an investigating officer.
Wider Network and Historical Context
Investigators have formed multiple teams to track down absconding accused, including Munna and Nagraj, and to identify other possible buyers, facilitators, and transporters linked to the network. The roles of previous offenders, recurring patterns, and interstate coordination are also under scrutiny.
This operation highlights the enhanced coordination between intelligence agencies and city police units in combating organized crimes that frequently operate across jurisdictional boundaries.
Notably, about six months ago, Ahmedabad rural police uncovered a major racket involving the kidnapping of a 7-month-old infant from Dholka, who was later sold in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra. That case resulted in the arrest of four persons and the safe recovery of the child, revealing a network operating between Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Recurring Patterns and Modus Operandi
Police sources indicated that the Hyderabad connection has repeatedly surfaced in recent child trafficking cases. In earlier instances, accused Vandana Panchal and Roshan Agrawal were reportedly arrested by Hyderabad police for similar offences involving infant trafficking. After being released on bail, the duo is suspected of resuming illegal activities by reconnecting with middlemen in Gujarat and Telangana.
The recurrence of these names points to potential gaps in monitoring repeat offenders. Investigators noted that at least three children were previously recovered from their custody, including one from Ahmedabad.
The structured modus operandi typically involves:
- Sourcing newborns from vulnerable families, such as unwed mothers or families in distress
- Local middlemen negotiating prices, often ranging from Rs 50,000 to several lakhs
- Discreet transportation using private vehicles, with Ahmedabad serving as a transit hub
- Selection of interstate routes to evade detection
- Buyers including childless couples or agents in other states
- Staged payments with commissions for each intermediary
The investigation is now focused on tracing the biological parents, arresting absconding accused, analyzing financial trails, verifying medical and birth records, and coordinating with police forces in Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
