Recent Bust of Child Trafficking in Ghaziabad
On Thursday, the police in Ghaziabad took strong action against a child trafficking ring. They arrested four people, including two women who own marriage bureaus. The police believe these individuals kidnapped an infant just days before their arrest.
Key Details of the Operation
According to the police, the suspects targeted fair-skinned newborns, which they sold for up to Rs 5 lakh each. Over the past three years, they are suspected of trafficking more than ten babies. The accused are:
- Afsar Ali, a Ghaziabad resident
- Naved Ansari, a labourer
- Swati, 35, who lives in Shamli
- Sandhya, 37, from Muzaffarnagar
The police made the arrests after receiving a complaint about a missing child on August 4. The child’s father, Rashid, lives in Pooja Colony. He told police that his infant was kidnapped while playing outside his home.
How the Police Caught the Suspects
Using intelligence and CCTV footage, police tracked the suspects to a lane near Loni Inter College. When they approached, the two men left the infant behind and quickly fled on a motorcycle. The women were arrested later.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Siddharth Gautam explained, “These two women own marriage bureaus in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli. They ran a racket that involved kidnapping babies and selling them to childless couples in various states.”
Finding a Home for the Babies
After the baby was kidnapped, pictures of him were sent out through a network from Delhi to Moradabad. A couple from Moradabad initially wanted to buy the baby for Rs 2.5 lakh. However, when they backed out, the gang contacted another couple in Amroha, who agreed to pay Rs 1.5 lakh for the infant.
A Widespread Network
The trafficking gang had a large network that reached Delhi, Bijnor, Moradabad, Roorkee, Amroha, and even extended to Jammu & Kashmir and Nepal. This indicates serious cross-border challenges in controlling child trafficking.
How the Traffickers Operated
The police shared that the gang would take random photos of children playing. They then circulated these pictures on social media, especially on WhatsApp groups. Swati and Sandhya, having connections with childless couples through their marriage bureaus, would reach out to potential buyers.
Different prices were set depending on the gender and complexion of the child. The police stated that Ranjhana, a nurse from Moradabad, and Asha worker Deepak Singh also helped the gang. They provided information about children born to women with unwanted pregnancies or from poor backgrounds.
Evidence and Investigations
During the investigation, police recovered important chats from the mobile phones of the two women. These discussions included plans with Ranjhana and Deepak about selling children and their prices.
One police officer noted, “Reeta was involved with the gang for over two years. She misled women patients by telling them their babies were stillborn.” This shows how deeply rooted the issue of trafficking can be.
Legal Action Taken
The police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the arrested individuals under Section 143(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with trafficking. They plan to add more charges as the investigation continues and are working to catch others involved in the racket.
The Bigger Picture of Child Trafficking
Child trafficking is a serious issue, especially in regions like Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. More than ten babies were trafficked in Ghaziabad over the last three years. This reflects a wider problem in northern India, where babies are often targeted for their fair skin.
Social media has become a dangerous tool for these traffickers. The gang’s method of sharing photos online shows how they exploit vulnerable children and families. This trend of online exploitation poses a significant threat across areas like Mohali and Chandigarh as well.
Understanding the Impact
The pricing for trafficked infants, from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, reveals the harsh realities of child trafficking markets in India. These numbers can affect social conditions in many regions, including Punjab.
Authorities are urging communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility. Prevention and awareness can make a big difference in our society.
Conclusion
The arrest of these four individuals is a significant step in fighting child trafficking. The police aim to dismantle this dangerous network and protect innocent children. This incident reminds us to be alert and protect our communities. Only by working together can we help end this terrible crime and ensure safety for all children.
