Police in Karnataka’s Tumakuru district have dismantled a child trafficking operation, rescuing six infants aged between 11 months and 2.5 years. Among those arrested are four individuals, including the owner of a private hospital and three nurses implicated in selling babies to childless couples.
The suspects include Mahesh, a nurse at a government hospital in Kunigal, and Mehboob Shariff, proprietor of a private hospital. Also apprehended were nurses Sowjanya and Poornima, both directly involved in the delivery and sale of infants.
The modus operandi involved Mahesh and Mehboob Shariff acquiring infants from parents unwilling or unable to care for them, selling them to couples seeking children for sums ranging between Rs 2-3 lakh through illicit adoption channels.
Couples aspiring for parenthood would simulate pregnancy and gain admission to Mehboob Shariff’s private hospital in Tumkur. Following a simulated delivery, they would obtain falsified birth certificates, falsely claiming the child as their own.
“This criminal activity has been ongoing since 2022, involving a total of nine babies,” stated Tumkur SP Ashok KV. “We suspect further involvement and are pursuing a thorough investigation to ensure all responsible parties face legal consequences.”
In addition to the arrested individuals, authorities are pursuing legal action against the adoptive parents who disregarded legal adoption processes.
Currently, six rescued infants are receiving care at a child protection facility, while efforts are underway to retrieve two more infants from Hyderabad and Davangere. Tragically, one of the trafficked babies was reported deceased.
