In a significant operation, the Ahmedabad Police have successfully dismantled a child trafficking racket operating in Dhrolka, a suburb of Ahmedabad. This operation began on the 30th of the month when a seven-month-old girl was kidnapped early in the morning. Following the incident, police arrested five suspects, including the main accused, Manisha Mahesh Solanki, her husband Mahesh Solanki, and three others: Binal Solanki, Jayesh Rathod, and agent Samadhan Jagtap.
The investigation revealed that the accused had taken the kidnapped girl to Aurangabad by bus. With the help of the Aurangabad Crime Branch, three of the suspects were apprehended. During questioning, it was discovered that four other children had previously been sold by the same group.
To investigate the case, police set up four teams and examined over 100 CCTV footages. They identified suspicious movements of a motorcycle, which led them to track the suspects to Aurangabad.
Manisha Solanki, the main conspirator, had planned the kidnapping with Binal Solanki and Jayesh Rathod. They had scouted the area in Dhrolka before taking the child to Aurangabad for a supposed delivery to a couple in need of a child. However, police intervened before they could complete the transaction.
So far, the investigation has revealed that five children have been trafficked in this network, with some parents reportedly involved in the scheme. Additionally, the inquiry has uncovered the involvement of IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) centres, including agents and donors, which raises serious questions about their role in this illegal activity.
The racket reportedly extends beyond Gujarat, with connections to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh. Investigators found that three children had been delivered in Hyderabad and one in Mumbai, with prices for the children ranging from 1.5 lakh to 3 lakh rupees, targeting childless couples. Agent Siddhant Jagtap was implicated in the sales of these children, who ranged in age from 15 days to seven months.
The police have arrested five suspects: Manisha Solanki, Mahesh Solanki, Binal Solanki, Siddhant Jagtap, and Jayesh Rathod. Teams have been deployed to various states to investigate further the involvement of other individuals in this trafficking network. This case is crucial for uncovering the broader child trafficking web.
During the investigation, the role of IVF centres has come under scrutiny. It appears that these centres were involved in the illegal trafficking of children. The connections between IVF centres and this racket can be summarised as follows:
1. **Connections with Agents and Donors**: IVF centres may have colluded with agents and donors to facilitate the illegal distribution of stolen children to couples seeking to adopt.
2. **Method of Delivery**: Evidence suggests that stolen children were delivered to couples in cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai under the guise of legal adoption processes, raising concerns about the legitimacy of these transactions.
3. **Financial Gain**: The financial aspect of the racket is alarming, with transactions involving the sale of children for sums ranging from 1.5 lakh to 3 lakh rupees. IVF centres may have profited from this illegal trade by working with agents and donors.
4. **Network Across States**: The investigation has revealed a network that spans multiple states, with IVF centres potentially acting as the linchpins for this illegal operation, facilitating the smooth transfer of trafficked children.
Currently, the police are probing deeper into the involvement of IVF centre operators, doctors, and staff to understand their roles in this child trafficking network. This ongoing investigation is essential in the fight against child trafficking and ensuring the safety of children in Gujarat and beyond.