A baby who had barely begun life was allegedly passed between several people, with money changing hands each time. The trail stretched from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra to Hyderabad in Telangana, more than 500 kilometres away.
The case came to light after the infant’s mother approached the police with a complaint. What followed was an investigation into an alleged child trafficking chain involving the child’s biological parents and several intermediaries.
By 29 September, police had arrested seven people and recovered the infant. Investigators are also examining whether those involved were connected to other cases of child trafficking.
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How Did It Begin?
The case originated in the Mukundwadi area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where the child’s parents were living together.
According to reports quoting police, the investigation began after officers received information that the couple had allegedly sold their infant.
The child’s mother, identified as Vandana Kamble, was called in for questioning. On 20 September, she reportedly filed a kidnapping complaint. Police subsequently investigated the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance.
During the investigation, officers allegedly uncovered a transaction involving the infant and traced the people who had handled the child after the initial sale.
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From Rs. 1.2 Lakh To Rs. 3.5 Lakh
According to the police investigation, the infant was initially sold by his parents, Vandana Kamble and Yogesh Kamble, to an intermediary, Seema Reshwal, for Rs. 1.2 lakh.
Police said the couple used the money to purchase mobile phones and gold jewellery. Reports differ on some details of the purchases, but the items were reportedly seized during the investigation.
The infant was then allegedly transferred to another intermediary, Sangeeta Avhad, for Rs. 2.7 lakh.
Avhad allegedly handed the child to Suresh Guntuka, whom police described as a fake doctor, for Rs. 3.5 lakh. Guntuka subsequently transferred the infant to his relative, Uma Khatkam, in Hyderabad.
The child had therefore allegedly changed hands multiple times, with the reported transaction values rising from Rs. 1.2 lakh to Rs. 3.5 lakh.
Police traced the infant to Hyderabad and brought him back to Maharashtra on 27 September, according to reports.
Who Are The Accused?
Seven people, including the infant’s biological parents, have been arrested in connection with the case.
Those named in reports include Vandana and Yogesh Kamble, the alleged intermediaries Seema Reshwal and Sangeeta Avhad, and Suresh Guntuka, who has been described by police as an alleged fake doctor.
Uma Khatkam has also been identified in reports as the relative who received the child in Hyderabad.
Police are investigating the role of each person in the alleged chain. The arrests do not, by themselves, establish guilt, and the allegations will have to be examined through the legal process.
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What Legal Action Have Police Taken?
An FIR was registered at Mukundwadi police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 142, 143(4) and 3(5), along with Section 81 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, according to The Times of India.
The provisions cited relate to the alleged concealment or confinement of a kidnapped person, child trafficking, common intention and the sale or procurement of children for purposes covered by the Juvenile Justice Act.
Police have also reportedly seized the mobile phones and jewellery purchased by the parents with the money allegedly received from the transaction.
Following the recovery, the child was placed under the care of a child-care organisation in accordance with the directions of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The investigation is continuing.
The Bigger Question: How Does Child Trafficking Continue?
The case raises questions about how infants can be transferred between people across state borders, and how authorities can identify such transactions before children disappear from their families or communities.
Child trafficking can involve different forms of exploitation. In cases involving the illegal sale of infants, investigators must establish how a child was obtained, who arranged the transfer, whether money changed hands and what the intended purpose was.
The alleged movement of this infant from Maharashtra to Telangana also highlights the importance of coordination between police forces in different states. Following the trail requires investigators to identify intermediaries, establish the sequence of transfers and locate the child.
A separate issue is the distinction between an illegal sale and a lawful adoption. India has a regulated adoption process, overseen by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). A private payment in exchange for a child is not a substitute for that process.
The investigation in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will need to establish the precise roles of those arrested and whether the alleged transactions were part of a wider network.
For now, the infant has been recovered, seven people have been arrested, and police are investigating the alleged trafficking chain.
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TL;DR | News At A Glance
What happened in the Maharashtra baby trafficking case?
A couple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar allegedly sold their infant for Rs. 1.2 lakh. Police later traced and rescued the child from Hyderabad.
Why did the couple allegedly sell their baby?
Police said the couple allegedly used the money to buy mobile phones and gold jewellery.
How many times was the infant allegedly resold?
Police said the child was transferred through multiple people, with the reported transaction value eventually reaching Rs. 3.5 lakh.
Where was the baby rescued?
Police recovered the infant from Hyderabad, Telangana, on 27 September.
How many people have been arrested?
Seven people, including the infant’s biological parents, have been arrested in connection with the case.
What legal action has police taken?
Police registered an FIR under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice Act and are investigating the alleged trafficking chain.
What happened to the infant after the rescue?
The child was placed under the care of a child-care organisation following directions from the Child Welfare Committee.
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