Nagpur: In a significant operation, the Anti-Human Trafficking Squad (AHTS) of the City Police’s Crime Branch has uncovered a shocking case of illegal child trafficking. A couple from Kalamna, Sunil alias Bhondu Dayaram Gendre (31) and his wife Shweta (27), were arrested for selling their five-day-old baby to a childless couple for Rs 1.10 lakh.
The childless couple, identified as Pournima Shelke (32) and her husband Snehdeep Dharamdas Shelke (45), both residents of Shirgaon, Badlapur (East), Thane district, purchased the baby in an attempt to bypass the legal adoption process. The transaction was facilitated by two mediators, Kiran Pramod Ingle (41) and her husband Pramod Ingle (45), residents of Pandhrabodi, Ambazari, who have also been taken into custody.
The illegal sale took place on August 22, when the Gendre couple sold their newborn son to the Shelke couple through the mediators. Upon receiving a tip-off, the AHTS swiftly intervened and questioned the Gendres, who confessed to the sale. Following their confession, all six individuals involved in the transaction were arrested.
The accused have been charged under Sections 75 and 81 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, and the case has been registered at Kalamna Police Station. The infant has been placed in the care of Shri Shradhanand Anathalaya, a local orphanage.
The arrests were made by a team led by PI Lalita Todase, ASI Gajendra Atkale, under the supervision of DCP (Detection) Rahul Maknikar and ACP (Crime) Dr. Abhijeet Patil. This operation has shed light on the grave issue of child trafficking in the region.
