Amaravati shocker: How newborn was sold seven times by child traffickers

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh police cracked a human trafficking network and rescued a baby girl who was sold seven times in the past two months. The infant was sold to people in Eluru, Vijayawada, Nalgonda, and Hyderabad. Surprisingly, it was the father who sold the baby first for Rs 70,000.

The lid was blown off the conspiracy when Manoj's wife and her mother approached the police. Guntur Urban superintendent of police (SP) Arif Hafeez said a team headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police J Rambabu cracked the network and arrested 11 persons including the father.

According to the DSP Rambabu, the main accused, Medabalimi Manoj, a resident of Gandalayapet, has two daughters. His wife gave birth to a third baby three months ago. Struggling with financial issues, Manoj decided to sell the newborn.

While his wife initially agreed, she later opposed the idea and did not want to give away the child. However, he continued his hunt for a customer. Later, he met Mikkili Nagalakshmi. She got him in touch with Meghavat Gayathri from Kondaprolu village in Nalgonda district, Telangana. He gave the baby to her for Rs 70,000. Gayathri however sold the baby to Bhukya Nandu from Lambadi Devala Thanda in Palkad village of Nalgonda district for Rs 1,20,000. Later, taking the help of his relative Bhukya Balavarti Raju, Nandu sold the baby girl to SK Nurjahan from Dilshuknagar area of Hyderabad for Rs 1,87,000.

Nurjahan took the help of Anuboju Kiran from Khammam and sold the baby to Bommada Uma Devi, a resident of Narayanaguda in Hyderabad, for Rs. 1,90,000. Uma Devi later sold to Padala Sravani from Vijayawada for Rs 2,00,000. The baby was sold by Sravani to Garikamukku Vijayalakshmi, a resident of Gollapudi area in Vijayawada for Rs 2,20,000.

In Eluru, the baby was sold to Varre Ramesh for Rs 2,50,000. It was when police chipped in and rescued the baby. "We could find a chain of people who were targeting childless couples looking for adoption. They used to sell newborns to them. These people also approach IVF centers to get contacts," police said.

The modus operandi includes zeroing in on the childless couples who run out of options and want a child. The addresses are secured from IVF centers. They get in touch with the couple, build a trusted network and sell the babies.

Police have put the investigation on a fast track to find out more such cases if any.