Child Trafficking Racket Uncovered in Karnataka: 7 Arrests, 5 Children Rescued

Karnataka Police have dismantled a child trafficking network, arresting seven individuals and rescuing five children. The investigation began after a complaint about a kidnapped infant. Key accused include healthcare workers who allegedly sold children to childless couples. Fake birth certificates were created for the sold children. Further investigations are ongoing.

The Karnataka Police have successfully dismantled a child trafficking network, arresting seven individuals and rescuing five children, officials revealed on Wednesday.

The racket surfaced following a complaint by a couple on June 9, who alleged their 11-month-old baby was kidnapped while they slept. Acting on a tip-off, a special team arrested accused Ramakrishna (53) and Hanamantha Raju (45), leading to the rescue of their infant.

Further investigations resulted in the arrest of former hospital staff nurse Mahesh UD (39), who allegedly sold the kidnapped baby to Mubarak for Rs 1.75 lakh. Police uncovered that Mahesh sourced children from unwed mothers and sold them to childless couples for Rs 2-3 lakh each. Additional arrests included pharmacist Mehboob Sharif (52), contract worker Poornima (39), and nurse Soujanya (48). Officials seized a used car, Rs 50,000 in cash, and four mobile phones. Fake birth certificates were also discovered. Five children have since been rescued, with one reunited with family and four in an adoption center.