Karnataka: Doctor among 5 held in child trafficking racket

Belagavi: In a shocking incident, the Malmaruti police have busted a child-selling racket and arrested five persons including a doctor for allegedly attempting to sell a one-month-old girl child for Rs 1.4 lakh.

According to the police, the child was born out of wedlock to a couple and the accused doctor who performed the abortion kept the baby for a few months and sold her to a nurse for Rs 60,000. The nurse then attempted to sell the infant again for Rs 1.4 lakh but failed as the police caught her red-handed.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mahadevi, alias Priyanka Bahubali Jain from Bailhongal, Dr *** from Hanchinal in Saudatti, Chandan Subedar from Shigihali in Bailhongal, Pavitra Somappa Madiwalar from Sampagaon in Bailhongal, and Praveen Manjunath Madiwalar from Dharwad. The arrests were made based on a complaint filed by Rajkumar Singappa Rathod, Coordinator of the District Child Protection Unit at the Government Adoption Center.

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The involvement of the racket came to light based on the complaint that the doctor allegedly sold an infant to Mahadevi who was also trying to make a profit by selling the infant.

As per a Udayavani news report, the one-month-old girl was born out of wedlock to Praveen Madiwalar and Pavitra Madiwalar. To abort the baby, they had initially approached Dr ****. After the delivery, the doctor kept the baby. He allegedly took care of the baby for a month and sold her for 60,000 rupees to Mahadevi, a nurse at the hospital through his hospital staff member, Chandan Subhedar. It was revealed that she also wanted to sell the baby and was looking for a childless couple.

When the District Child Protection Department coordinator got information about this and informed the police, the police formed a team headed by Deputy Commissioners Rohan Jagadeesh and Ms Sneha, comprising Inspector J.M. Kalimirchi, Ramanagouda Sankanala, K.B. Gourani, and Jasmin Mulla.

The undercover police team contacted Mahadevi and informed her that they wanted to buy the child. As a result, Mahadevi demanded Rs 1.4 lakh. Accepting the deal, the team asked her to bring the child to Ramtheertha City in Belagavi, ETV Bharat reports.

When she arrived with the baby girl at the place in Belagavi, the team caught her red-handed and arrested her leading to the discovery of the racket and other people involved with it. Later, the police admitted the baby to the district hospital.

Further, an investigation is under process to determine if more individuals are involved in this racket.

Also Read: Child trafficking racket busted, two Hathras Doctors among eight held