In a significant crackdown on child trafficking in Andhra Pradesh, the NTR district police have arrested five women, including the mastermind behind the racket, Bagalam Sarojini (31), from Vijayawada. The police also rescued three children who were being sold to childless couples for significant sums of money.
According to Police Commissioner SV Rajashekhar Babu, Sarojini had been operating the illegal trade by targeting childless couples and selling them children that she procured from Delhi and Ahmedabad. The children, who were sold for lakhs of rupees, included a one-year-old boy, a two-year-old girl, and a three-year-old boy.
The other arrested individuals include:
Shaik Farina (26)
Shaik Saidabi (33)
Kovvarapu Karuna Shree (25)
Pedala Shirisha (26)
Sarojini had reportedly sold seven children over the past six months and had four more children ready to be sold when she was apprehended. To deceive the childless couples, the accused used fake documents and certificates, convincing them that the children were orphans.
Police have filed a case under the Juvenile Justice Act and are continuing their investigation into the trafficking network. The accused have been remanded in judicial custody. Authorities have called on the public to come forward with any information related to child trafficking, ensuring that they will provide care and rehabilitation for the rescued children.
