Banaskantha Police Uncover Child Trafficking Network in Major Operation
In a significant breakthrough, the Banaskantha police in Gujarat have dismantled an inter-state child trafficking gang following the dramatic rescue of a four-year-old boy on April 6. The operation, dubbed 'Operation Dev,' exposed a sinister network that allegedly sold children for begging and other illegal activities outside the state.
Swift Action Leads to Rescue and Arrests
The incident began when the minor was abducted from Dhanpura village in Vadgam taluka. According to authorities, the accused, Shailesh Gamar, lured the boy with food before kidnapping him in a car. Upon receiving the alert, police teams from the Local Crime Branch (LCB), Special Operations Group (SOG), and Vadgam police station sprang into action.
Prashant Sumbe, DSP of Banaskantha, stated, "The child was rescued within four hours from Mepada village, and we arrested two accused, Shailesh Gamar and Pabu alias Babu Bhagora. The deal was struck to sell the minor for Rs 1.5 lakh outside Gujarat."
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage across a 70-80 km area up to Danta and conducted extensive field operations involving over 50 personnel. The boy was ultimately found safe in a farm in Mepada.
Details of the Abduction and Trafficking Ring
Gamar targeted the child, who belonged to an impoverished family originally from Pali, Rajasthan, involved in begging. On the day of the crime, he approached a group of playing children, offered Rs 10 and a biscuit packet, and abducted the boy. When the child cried, Gamar locked him in the car trunk and later altered his appearance by changing clothes and cutting hair to evade detection.
During interrogation, Gamar revealed a year-long association with Pabu, who connected him with buyers from Hindi-speaking regions. In a shocking admission, police discovered that Gamar had previously sold a one-month-old relative's baby for Rs 1 lakh through Pabu, driven by financial temptation.
Broader Criminal Activities Uncovered
The investigation uncovered that Pabu was also involved in selling young girls and women to marriage aspirants outside Gujarat, earning commissions. Police confirmed he had sold another minor girl for Rs 1 lakh earlier.
DSP Sumbe added, "We are investigating if they have sold more kids and women, and we are working to nab gang members from two states involved in this larger illegal network." The case highlights the urgent need for vigilance against child trafficking in the region.
