New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) In a significant crackdown, Delhi Police have successfully uncovered an inter-state child trafficking syndicate involved in the buying and selling of babies.

Five newborns, aged five days to four months, have been rescued during the operation. According to officials, a total of 12 accused, including the alleged kingpin, a woman who claimed to be a doctor, have been arrested. The woman, identified as Viveki Kapoor, is the owner of a nursing home.

Police are currently verifying her medical credentials and whether she is actually a qualified doctor.

Investigators said that the accused have been arrested in Delhi and Rajasthan.

The gang allegedly brought babies from other states by tampering with and forging birth records of the children. The babies were then allegedly sold to prospective parents for lakhs of rupees.

Police said that some of the children were reportedly sold in Haryana as well.

The interrogation of the accused is currently underway.

Last month, police in Chakradharpur of Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district had busted a similar human trafficking racket and rescued 36 labourers and six minor children.

A joint team of the police and the Labour Department conducted a raid at a hotel and rescued the labourers and the minors, who were allegedly being prepared to be taken to Gujarat.

The action was taken based on a tip-off. Police had received information that a large number of male and female labourers and children were being kept at a hotel in Chakradharpur, and preparations were underway to send them to another state.

Acting swiftly, the police formed a special team on the instructions of the Senior Superintendent of Police. The team included officials from the police, the Labour Department, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), and the Childline.

During the raid, several labourers and children were found at the hotel. Police also seized a bus belonging to a travel company, which was reportedly meant to transport the labourers to Gujarat.

Among the six rescued minors were five boys and one girl. Following directions from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), all the children were handed over to Childline Chaibasa. The remaining labourers are also being questioned.

–IANS

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