Rachakonda police bust interstate child trafficking gang, rescue 11 babies

HYDERABAD: Rachakonda police, in collaboration with Medipally police, uncovered an interstate child trafficking operation, arrested three women and rescued 11 infants on Tuesday.

The investigation was opened on May 22, 2024, following a complaint from Manyam Sai Kumar (30) who saved a little girl. It was revealed during investigation that the accused had purchased children aged 23 days to two years from reluctant parents in Delhi and Pune and sold them in Hyderabad at prices ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 million.

A case has been filed under Cr. 579/2024 U/s 370, 372, 373 r/w 34 IPC, Sec 81, 87, 88 JJ Act-2015, of PS Medipally. Subsequent interrogation of Sobharani exposed his collaboration with Hari Hara Chetan (A4). Sobharani (A1), Swapna (A2) and Shaik Saleem (A3) were arrested on May 22, 2024 and taken into custody.

Further arrests were made on May 27, 2024, based on information obtained from the original accused. Further interrogation revealed that the babies were from Kiran and Preethi in Delhi and Kannaiah in Pune.

Nearly 50 babies were supplied to the accused, who then sold them to needy people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, at prices ranging from Rs. 1,80,000 to Rs. 5,50,000 per baby, generating profits of Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per transaction. So far, 11 babies have been rescued, two of whom have been placed in Shishuvihar for safe keeping.

The other accused – Kiran, Preethi, Kannaiah and others – are currently on the run. Bandari Padma (A5) was previously implicated in Cr No: 39/2021 U/s: 420 IPC, 81 of JJ Act from Ghatkesar Police Station and was arrested and taken into custody.

Balgam Saroja (A6) is implicated in Cr No: 81/2024 U/s: 370 (4), IPC, Sec 81 of JJ Act of PS Munagala, Suryapeta District, and is currently on the run.

Mudavath Sharada (A7) was involved in three cases involving criminal activities. The first case, numbered 52/2022, relates to violations of Section 370 IPC and Section 81 of the JJ Act, which occurred at PS Inthegar Gunj in Warangal district. Similarly, case number 327/2022 pertains to charges under Sections 370, 120-B IPC and Section 81 of the JJ Act, located at Eluru Town Police Station-2. Finally, in case number 112/2024, Sharada faces allegations under Section 370 IPC, as well as Section 34 IPC and Sections 80 and 81 of the JJ Act-2015, at ext. Kanjumarg Police Station in Mumbai. Sharada is currently on the run.