Maharashtra – Mumbai police successfully dismantled a sophisticated children selling racket on Wednesday following an elaborate undercover operation that exposed the disturbing reality of infant trafficking in the city. The operation resulted in the arrest of two women and the booking of three additional suspects involved in the illegal trade of babies for substantial monetary gains.
The children selling racket operated through a network of individuals who specifically targeted vulnerable poor couples, exploiting their financial desperation by offering money in exchange for their newborn children. Police investigations revealed that the gang systematically sold these infants at significantly higher prices to prospective buyers, creating a profitable but deeply illegal business model.
This breakthrough operation demonstrates the Mumbai police’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children and dismantling criminal networks that exploit society’s most defenseless members through organized trafficking schemes.
Criminal Network Structure and Operations
The children selling racket involved multiple layers of criminal activity, with gang members specializing in different aspects of the illegal trade. According to police sources, the network included facilitators who identified potential sellers, intermediaries who negotiated prices, and coordinators who arranged the actual transfers of children to buyers.
Police officer statements indicate that the children selling racket specifically targeted economically disadvantaged couples, understanding their vulnerability and desperation. The gang members would approach these families during particularly difficult financial circumstances, presenting what appeared to be a solution to their immediate monetary problems while simultaneously fulfilling demand from individuals seeking to acquire children through illegal means.
The systematic nature of this operation suggests that the children selling racket had been operating for an extended period, potentially affecting numerous families and children before police intervention successfully disrupted their activities.
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Undercover Operation Details and Execution
The investigation began when complainants Mayuri Vannam and her husband Lakshminarayan Vannam, accompanied by their associate Binu Verghese, learned about an individual named Sameer, also known as Nabeel Shaikh, who allegedly participated in the children selling racket. Their decision to contact police authorities initiated the comprehensive undercover operation that ultimately exposed the criminal network.
In May, the complainants met Sameer at Lotus Junction in Shivaji Nagar, expressing interest in acquiring a child through his services. This initial contact provided police with valuable intelligence about the children selling racket operations and enabled them to plan an effective trap to capture the criminals while protecting the vulnerable infant involved.
The undercover operation required careful coordination between multiple police units and civilian cooperators to ensure both the successful arrest of suspects and the safe recovery of the child being trafficked.
Financial Negotiations and Criminal Demands
Sameer initially quoted ₹4 lakh for the baby involved in this particular children selling racket transaction, demonstrating the substantial monetary values attached to these illegal activities. The negotiations revealed the calculated nature of the criminal enterprise, with gang members treating human infants as commercial commodities with negotiable prices.
After initial discussions, Sameer demanded ₹50,000 as an advance payment but eventually settled for ₹10,000 following negotiations with the undercover operatives. On August 6, Sameer contacted the couple announcing that a woman had delivered a baby boy and increased his demand to ₹5.5 lakhs, illustrating the fluctuating and exploitative pricing structure of the children selling racket.
These financial demands highlight the significant profits generated by such criminal enterprises and explain the motivation behind individuals willing to risk severe legal consequences for monetary gain.
Arrest Operation and Child Recovery
The final phase of the operation against the children selling racket occurred when Sameer arranged for two women to deliver the infant to Lotus Junction, where police operatives were strategically positioned to execute arrests and ensure child safety. The coordinated effort required precise timing to prevent any harm to the infant while successfully apprehending the suspects.
Police identified the arrested women as Nazima Aslam Shaikh, also known as Nasreen, and Fatima Shaikh, both of whom arrived at the designated location carrying the infant and accompanying documentation. The children selling racket had prepared fraudulent or legitimate birth documents showing the child’s birth on August 1 at S N Hospital, Shivaji Nagar, to parents Sumaya Khan and Irfan Khan.
The successful arrests effectively disrupted this particular children selling racket transaction while providing law enforcement with valuable intelligence about broader criminal network operations and methodologies.
Legal Charges and Criminal History
Police registered comprehensive charges against all suspects involved in the children selling racket, including the two arrested women, Sameer, and the child’s biological parents. The charges encompass Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for trafficking of persons, along with Sections 81 and 87 of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act covering sale and procurement of children and abetment of offenses.
Investigation revealed that Nasreen had previously been booked by Govandi police for similar offenses, indicating her repeated involvement in children selling racket activities and suggesting a pattern of criminal behavior targeting vulnerable children and families.
Broader Implications for Child Protection
This successful operation against the children selling racket underscores the ongoing challenges facing child protection services and law enforcement agencies in combating organized trafficking networks. The case highlights the need for continued vigilance, improved support systems for vulnerable families, and comprehensive legal frameworks to prevent such exploitation of children and desperate parents.
