Infant Sold for Rs 1.10 Lakh in Nagpur; Police Arrest Six in Trafficking Case

Nagpur Police have detained six individuals, including the parents of a five-day-old baby boy, for allegedly selling him to a childless couple for Rs 1.10 lakh, officials reported on Tuesday. The Anti-Human Trafficking Squad (AHTS) uncovered this illegal child trafficking case, which involved not only the sellers and buyers but also two intermediaries who facilitated the transaction.

The biological parents, Sunil alias Bhondu Dayaram Gendre (31) and his wife Shweta (27), were among those arrested. The childless couple who purchased the baby were identified as Pournima Shelke (32) and her husband Snehdeep Dharamdas Shelke (45), residents of Badlapur in Thane district. Additionally, the mediators Kiran Ingle (41) and her husband Pramod Ingle (45), residents of Nagpur, were also apprehended.

Illegal Adoption Process

The Gendres allegedly sold their newborn son to the Shelke couple through Kiran and Pramod Ingle on August 22. The Shelkes, who are relatives of Kiran Ingle, reportedly paid Rs 1.10 lakh for the child and took him home without following legal adoption procedures. The AHTS acted upon receiving information about this illegal transaction.

Financial desperation appears to have driven Sunil and Shweta Gendre to sell their infant. The police have registered a case under sections 75 and 81 of the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act at Kalamna police station in Nagpur.

Legal Actions Taken

The AHTS arrested all six individuals involved in this case. The infant has been temporarily placed in the care of a local orphanage, according to officials. This incident highlights the need for stringent measures to prevent illegal child trafficking and ensure that adoption processes are followed legally.

The operation by the Anti-Human Trafficking Squad has brought to light a disturbing case involving not just the seller and buyer but also two others who mediated the transaction. The accused parents sold their newborn to a childless couple eager to adopt but circumvented legal adoption processes.

Upon receiving information about this illegal activity, authorities swiftly moved to arrest all six individuals involved. This case underscores the importance of adhering to legal procedures in adoption cases to protect children's rights and welfare.

The involvement of intermediaries like Kiran and Pramod Ingle in facilitating such transactions raises concerns about the prevalence of illegal child trafficking networks. Law enforcement agencies must remain vigilant to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

This incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that legal frameworks play in safeguarding children's rights. Ensuring that adoption processes are transparent and lawful is essential for protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.