Fourth Accident Arrested in Interstate Infant Trafficking Network
In a significant development in the interstate child trafficking case, Gujarat police have made their fourth arrest, apprehending Yunus Imamkhan Noorkhan Sindhi from Banaskantha district. This arrest comes on the same day that three other primary accused were sent to Sabarmati Central Jail following the completion of their six-day police remand.
The Arrest and Key Suspects
Police Inspector Raghuveersinh Gadhvi of the Ahmedabad City Police's Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) confirmed that Munna alias Yunus Sindhi was arrested on Wednesday and identified as the "second buyer" in the trafficking operation. According to investigative details, Sindhi allegedly procured the 15-day-old infant from another individual named Govind, who remains at large and is believed to have either procured or kidnapped the child from her biological parents.
The court has granted police a three-day remand for Yunus Sindhi to facilitate further interrogation. During the investigation, authorities recovered a bank cheque worth Rs 2 lakh signed by another accused, Vandana Panchal, from Sindhi's possession. Police records indicate that Sindhi received a payment of Rs 3.60 lakh for his involvement in the trafficking transaction.
Background of the Main Accused
Vandana Jigar Panchal, a 34-year-old resident of Odhav in Ahmedabad, has emerged as a central figure in this disturbing case. She faces charges related to trafficking three infants to Telangana, with a case registered at Chaitanyapuri police station in Hyderabad in February 2025. Additionally, she is under suspicion for involvement in the alleged trafficking of six other children currently being investigated by Ahmedabad Rural Police.
Panchal was arrested by Ahmedabad City Police on January 29 while allegedly transporting the 15-day-old infant to Hyderabad. Investigators believe she is connected to a multi-state child trafficking racket operating between Gujarat and Telangana.
Expanding Investigation and Additional Suspects
The Ahmedabad City Police and Ahmedabad Rural Police are conducting a joint investigation into what appears to be a larger trafficking network. Their probe has revealed the disappearance of several infants in Gujarat, ranging from just 4 days old to 2 years old.
Other individuals arrested in connection with this case include:
- Roshan alias Sajjan Mahavirprasad Agrawal (42) from Hyderabad, Telangana, originally from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
- Sumit Bachchan Yadav (27) resident of Vatva, Ahmedabad, originally from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Additionally, Maulik Umiyashankar Dave (32), the driver of the vehicle used in the trafficking operation, has been detained and remains under investigation.
Ongoing Search and Investigation Details
The Crime Branch has registered cases against two more individuals:
- Nagraj, identified as a buyer from Hyderabad who was supposed to receive the 15-day-old infant
- Govind, the alleged original procurer or kidnapper of the child
Both Nagraj and Govind remain at large, with police actively searching for their whereabouts. Investigators are also examining whether the infant's biological parents were involved in selling their child, which could lead to additional charges if evidence supports this possibility.
This case highlights the disturbing reality of interstate child trafficking networks operating in India and underscores the coordinated efforts required by multiple police jurisdictions to dismantle such criminal operations.
