Three rescued, 7 arrested as CBI busts network of infant traffickers in Delhi, Haryana

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted a network of infant traffickers, rescuing three children and arresting seven accused people after searching seven locations in Delhi and Haryana.

“Two male infants of just 1.5 days and 15 days and one female child of one month have also been rescued by the CBI during the operation. Incriminating articles besides ₹5.5 lakh in cash have been seized,” an agency official said.

The accused have been identified as Neeraj from Haryana, and Indu Pawar,

Aslam, Pooja Kashyap, Ritu, Anjali, and Kavita from different parts of Delhi.

The CBI has registered a case against 10 persons under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

They have been accused of being part of a network which trafficked infant children across the country for the purpose of adoption as well as for other illegal purposes.

According to the agency, the accused used advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp groups to get in touch with childless couples who were keen to adopt babies.

The gang members would allegedly buy babies from their biological parents as well as from surrogate mothers and then sell these infant children at prices ranging from ₹4 lakh to ₹6 lakh per child.

“These accused are also allegedly involved in duping many childless couples of lakhs of rupees by creating fake documents related to adoption,” the agency said.

The accused used advertisements on social media to get in touch with childless couples