Ahmedabad: In a significant victory against child trafficking, the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) of Ahmedabad police, acting on a tip-off from the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), rescued a newborn baby and arrested three people involved in an interstate trafficking network spanning Gujarat, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Authorities revealed that the suspects had “purchased” the infant from Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, and were transporting the child to Hyderabad to sell. The DCB successfully intercepted a white car heading towards Ahmedabad airport on Wednesday. The driver of the vehicle has also been taken into custody.
Suspects Identified
The arrested individuals include:
- Vandana Panchal (34) – originally from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, currently residing in Ahmedabad
- Roshan alias Sajjan Agrawal (42) – originally from Rajasthan, currently residing in Hyderabad
- Sumit Yadav (27) – originally from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, currently residing in Ahmedabad
Investigations revealed the involvement of a multi-state child trafficking network, with operations across Gujarat, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. The vehicle driver, Maulik Dave (32), has also been detained.
The Transaction
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to purchasing the newborn from a man named Munnu near Himmatnagar for ₹3.6 lakh. Their plan was to sell the infant to an agent named Nagraj in Hyderabad. Police seized ₹10,050 in cash, four mobile phones, and the vehicle involved.
Legal Action and Care for the Baby
A case has been registered against the suspects, along with the buyer and seller, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. The rescued newborn has been handed over to child welfare authorities for immediate care and medical supervision.
The police continue to investigate the trafficking network to apprehend other accomplices still at large, aiming to dismantle the gang completely.
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