Surat Police Nab Two Women in Shocking Infant Trafficking Case
In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, Surat crime branch officials have arrested two women from the Ved Road area on Saturday for their alleged involvement in attempting to sell a 10-day-old baby girl. The accused, identified as Anjali Mishra (39) and Lakshmi Sonawane (44), were taken into custody following specific intelligence received by the police.
Modus Operandi and Arrest Details
The investigation revealed that the two women had brought the infant from Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra just two days prior to their arrest. To find potential buyers, they reportedly circulated photographs of the newborn through a popular mobile chatting application. According to police reports, the duo had allegedly fixed a price of Rs 2.5 lakh for the baby girl.
During the subsequent raid at Mishra's residence on Ved Road, authorities discovered that she could not produce any hospital documents related to the child's birth, raising serious questions about the infant's origins.
Legal Charges and Police Action
The accused women have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 143(1) - Trafficking
- Section 143(4) - Trafficking of a child
- Section 61 - Criminal conspiracy
Police successfully rescued the infant and immediately shifted her to a hospital for medical care. The newborn is currently under observation to prevent any potential health complications.
Background and Investigation Findings
A preliminary police investigation suggests that the women may have obtained the child either through kidnapping or by deceiving the parents. Sonawane, who hails from Sambhajinagar, is believed to have played a crucial role in arranging the infant through her contacts.
During interrogation, Mishra told police that a newborn child belonging to her sister's daughter had recently died. In an attempt to arrange a replacement baby, she contacted Sonawane, who allegedly procured the infant. However, after the child was brought to Surat, Mishra's relative refused to accept her.
Ongoing Investigation and Family Background
Police have informed their counterparts in Sambhajinagar to verify whether any kidnapping cases have been reported in the area. Authorities are still working to ascertain the identity of the child's biological parents.
Investigators have revealed that Mishra's husband and children are engaged in business activities, while Sonawane works in the saree cutting industry. The contrast between their apparent livelihoods and the serious nature of the alleged crime has added another layer of complexity to the case.
Broader Context of Infant Trafficking
This incident comes amid growing concerns about inter-state trafficking rackets targeting newborns. Notably, the Ahmedabad crime branch recently conducted a joint operation with the anti-terrorist squad (ATS) that resulted in the busting of an inter-state racket. In that case, four persons were arrested while attempting to transport a newborn from Gujarat to Telangana, where the child was reportedly to be sold to an agent linked to an organized trafficking syndicate.
The Surat case highlights the urgent need for stricter monitoring and more robust mechanisms to prevent such heinous crimes against the most vulnerable members of society. Police officials have emphasized their commitment to thoroughly investigating all aspects of this case and ensuring that justice is served.
