Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
In a major crackdown on child trafficking, the Central District team of Delhi Police on Thursday dismantled an alleged interstate child trafficking syndicate, arresting 12 accused and rescuing five infant children. Among those arrested is the owner of a private hospital in Rohini's Begumpur area, identified as Dr. Vivek, who is suspected of using his medical facility to run an illegal newborn trafficking operation.
According to police, the hospital, identified as Heera Kapoor Hospital, has a capacity of 25 beds and was allegedly used as a transit point for newborn babies brought from different states before being sold to prospective buyers. Investigators believe the price of each child was determined based on the financial status of the buyer.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the hospital primarily functioned as a daycare facility for newborns and young children. The trafficking network allegedly purchased infants from extremely poor families and later sold them to childless couples seeking to adopt illegally without following legal procedures.
Among the five rescued infants, one is only two days old and was reportedly brought from Gwalior. The rescued children include four boys and one girl. Police said the babies have been shifted to a safe location and will be produced before the Child Welfare Committee for further care and legal protection.
Authorities further stated that the gang targeted newborns born in economically weaker families and sold them to couples unable to have children, bypassing the legal adoption process entirely.
The accused belong to different states, including Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Delhi Police is conducting an extensive investigation to uncover the full extent of the trafficking network and identify other individuals involved. The search for additional suspects is currently underway.
