Greater Noida hospital owner among three arrested for attempting to sell newborn
Child Trafficking
Greater Noida: A private hospital owner in Greater Noida is among three people arrested for allegedly attempting to sell a five-day-old baby girl for Rs 2.6 lakh, police said on Saturday night. Two other accused in the case are currently absconding.
According to the news reports, the arrested individuals include a 33-year-old owner of a private hospital in Bisrakh, a 24-year-old operation theatre technician at the same hospital, and a 35-year-old cleaner. A nurse and her husband have also been booked in the case and remain on the run.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, a senior police officer said, “A resident of Sector 1 in Greater Noida on Saturday called child helpline 1098 and informed them about a newborn girl being sold off for ₹2.6 lakh. The anti-human trafficking unit was informed, and a trap was laid to nab the suspects.”
During the investigation, police discovered that a message offering a newborn for adoption had been circulated in a WhatsApp group in the Sector 1 society. When the complainant’s wife contacted the number provided, she was allegedly told to pay Rs 2.6 lakh. The caller reportedly pressured her to make a quick decision, claiming that other buyers were also interested.
A joint team comprising the Child Helpline, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and Bisrakh police coordinated the operation.
On Saturday, the complainant met the suspects at a public location in Greater Noida West. Two hospital employees, including a nurse, arrived with the infant. Officers in plain clothes, already stationed nearby, intervened, took the baby into custody, and detained both on the spot, reports Economic Times.
Following interrogation, the hospital owner was also arrested. As per the news reports, she allegedly admitted that the baby was born at her hospital around five days ago. She claimed that the mother, facing financial difficulties, expressed her inability to raise the child and wished to give the baby up for adoption. However, instead of following legal procedures, the accused allegedly decided to sell the newborn to cover hospital expenses.
Investigators said the nurse and her husband played a role in facilitating the transaction. The husband is believed to have circulated the message in WhatsApp groups to find a buyer.
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