Child trafficking network in Orissa, Pune unravelled

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) Undercover reporters of a television channel have unearthed massive child trafficking networks in Pune and Orissa run by agencies aiding illegal adoption by foreigners.

An undercover investigation by the CNN-IBN channel revealed that the children were being sold to couples as well as agents from countries like the US, UK, Australia and Spain.

They were found not only to be bypassing all laws, but had ''baby factories'' to ensure a constant supply of infants.

The reporters, posing as an NRI couple, approached an agency in Pune and discovered it charged 12,000 US dollars per child.

The 'buyers' were given a choice of colour of skin, eye colour and so on and there were different rates for the babies on the basis of colour, gender and health. Babies with ailments were sold at ''discounted'' rates.

Similarly, in Orissa, the team discovered a racket run by several agencies that do not even have government approval.

Its network spread out to an extensive international market with representatives of foreign agencies facilitating the process.

The main ''baby supply'' areas were found to be famine-hit regions like Vidarbha and Orissa.

The reporters recorded statements of a mother whose baby was stolen from her.

They also got one of the biggest orphanage trustees caught on tape demanding cash for babies.

The channel also recorded the statement of a Spanish agent who buys more than 20 children every year from one agency.

The team also got the testimony of a foreign parent who adopted a child from one such agency and a candid story of an Indian-born and his adoption several years ago.

The entire series will be telecast on the CNN-IBN through the week.

The first two stories, ''Babies for Sale'' and ''The Donation Game'', were shown on CNN-IBN last night.

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