A seemingly straightforward investigation into a child's kidnapping in Tamil Nadu's Erode district has led police to a shocking discovery: a sprawling interstate racket involved in trafficking infants and young children. The probe, which began in October, has so far revealed the involvement of more than 60 individuals operating across Tamil Nadu and other states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.
From a Single Complaint to a Nationwide Network
The case came to light on October 16, when a 30-year-old woman filed a complaint at the Chithodu police station. She reported that her 18-month-old daughter, Vandana, had been kidnapped while sleeping beside her in a makeshift tent under a flyover in Bhavani. The child's eight-year-old brother was nearby at the time.
Special police teams, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Thangavel and Deputy Superintendent of Police M. Ratnakumar, sprang into action. Analyzing CCTV footage and digital trails, they traced and arrested a couple in Bhavani, leading to Vandana's rescue. This initial success, however, was just the tip of the iceberg.
The Modus Operandi and Key Players
Further investigation exposed a highly organized network. Police identified three women as the key coordinators: Shabana, her sister Reshma (both from Chennai), and Uma Maheshwari of Kodaikanal. All three are currently absconding. They allegedly operated from cities including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Pune, coordinating with a web of intermediaries.
The racket's method was chillingly systematic. Prospective buyers were contacted in advance. Meetings to hand over the children were arranged at public places like temples, malls, and beaches. The price for a boy child was between 4 to 5 lakh rupees, while girls were sold for 3 to 4 lakh rupees. Agents earned commissions ranging from 50,000 to 1 lakh per transaction.
One of the arrested, Ramesh (35), was already out on bail for a similar child-lifting case from Salem in June. Another key figure, Karuppasamy of Rajapalayam, was found to be involved in at least six cases.
Rescues and Ongoing Operations
The police's relentless pursuit led to more rescues. Following the first child, they saved an 18-month-old girl and an eight-month-old girl from other accused. In subsequent operations, a 15-day-old infant and another eight-month-old girl were rescued from the houses of two sisters, Janaki (40) and Selvi (36), in Salem.
Investigators revealed that children were often taken from government hospitals and pavements in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. They were then brought by train to Chennai by Shabana and Reshma before being moved to Salem. An ambulance driver, Pravin (35), was also arrested for his role in the network.
All rescued children have been placed in a government-run home under the care of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Police confirmed they are also trying to trace an infant boy handed over to a couple in Salem by the same network.
Deputy SP Ratnakumar stated that police analyzed details of 25 child-lifting cases reported since 2023 in the western zone alone. While most were solved, the rescued children remain under state care. The search is now intensifying to arrest the absconding coordinators and dismantle every link of this extensive child trafficking racket.
