Vadodara Police Arrest Karnataka Woman in Newborn Trafficking Case

Vadodara: The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) has arrested a 46-year-old woman from Belagavi, Karnataka, in connection with a newborn trafficking case spanning parts of North Gujarat and Maharashtra. The police have secured her custody until August 13 for further questioning and investigation into the alleged trafficking network.

With the latest arrest, the total number of accused arrested in the case has risen to 11.

The case came to light after a couple from Siddhpur in Patan district was arrested from the Legend Hotel premises on Tarsali Highway in Vadodara a few days ago. Police subsequently arrested other suspects based on information gathered during the couple’s interrogation.

Two alleged brokers, Taufiq Momin and Sohil Momin, were also arrested. During their questioning, police reportedly identified Rupa Buddhanawar, also referred to as Rupa Jain, 46, a resident of Belagavi, as another alleged link in the network.

According to police, the newborn baby recovered from the couple at the hotel on Tarsali Highway was allegedly to be handed over to Rupa Jain through the Momin brothers. Investigators suspect that the accused were then planning to deliver the baby to a prospective buyer.

The accused woman, who is reportedly widowed, was produced before a court and remanded in police custody until August 13. Police are now questioning her to establish the wider network and identify other people allegedly involved in the trafficking of newborn babies. DeshGujarat