In a shocking case of child trafficking, the Delhi Police have successfully rescued a one-and-a-half-month-old infant and arrested five individuals, including an Anganwadi helper, for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and sale of the baby for Rs 1.5 lakh. The incident, which began at the Seelampur metro station, culminated in arrests across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh after a seven-month manhunt.
The Abduction and the Investigation
The case was officially registered on June 4 at the Shastri Park Metro police station. The infant's mother, Poonam, reported that her newborn son had been taken by a woman at the bustling Seelampur metro station. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Metro) Kushal Pal Singh stated that technical surveillance led investigators to suspect Devaki, a woman known to beg around the station.
Police tracking indicated Devaki had travelled towards Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh. A dedicated team was dispatched to UP, where intelligence inputs helped pinpoint her hideout at Hamirpur Chungi in Mahoba district. After being on the run for seven months and frequently changing locations, Devaki was finally arrested and brought back to Delhi for questioning.
The Arrests and Roles of the Accused
Following Devaki's arrest, the police net widened, leading to the apprehension of four more individuals. The arrested accused are:
- Manju Devi (44): An Anganwadi helper, alleged to have instigated the kidnapping.
- Sheela (35): A domestic worker, accused of acting as a mediator for the sale.
- Dheer Singh (40): A private contractor, who along with his wife, allegedly purchased the child.
- Baneeta (35): Singh's wife and a domestic worker, also accused of buying the infant.
During interrogation, Devaki reportedly told the police that she kidnapped the child at the behest of Manju Devi. When Manju Devi initially failed to find a buyer, the child was returned to Devaki, who kept him for approximately 15 days. She then allegedly sold the infant for Rs 1.5 lakh in Delhi's Arya Nagar area, with Sheela facilitating the deal. The buying couple, Dheer Singh and Baneeta, then took custody of the child.
Rescue and Reunion
Acting on the information gleaned from the accused, the police team raided the home of Dheer Singh and Baneeta and successfully recovered the infant. The child was subsequently produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) as per legal protocol. Following the necessary procedures, the baby was finally handed back to his mother, Poonam, marking a bittersweet end to a traumatic ordeal.
This case highlights the persistent threat of child trafficking and the intricate networks that sometimes operate in plain sight. The arrest of an Anganwadi helper, a figure meant to support community welfare, has added a particularly distressing dimension to the crime. The Delhi Police's coordinated effort between local and intelligence units was crucial in cracking the case and ensuring the child's safe return.
