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AI Unmasks Infant Trafficking Mastermind
20 Apr
Summary
- An inter-state child trafficking ring was dismantled.
- Infants were sold for Rs 4-5 lakh each by the syndicate.
- AI and technology aided in tracking the kingpin.
A sophisticated inter-state child trafficking network, operating under the codename 'Operation Dev', has been successfully dismantled with the arrest of its mastermind, Bodashu Nagaraju alias Murugan. This extensive operation, which involved authorities from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Telangana, revealed the clandestine sale of newborn infants.
The investigation commenced following the kidnapping of a child in Gujarat on April 6, which subsequently uncovered the organized nature of the trafficking syndicate. Police leveraged artificial intelligence and modern technology to trace Murugan to Kagaznagar, Telangana, where he was apprehended along with two key agents.
Murugan and his wife initially engaged in the IVF industry but shifted to trafficking newborns due to higher profit margins. The gang sourced or kidnapped infants, selling them for Rs 4-5 lakh each to childless couples or intermediaries. Authorities have so far confirmed the trafficking of eight infants across various states.
Recovered cash, believed to be from illicit sales, and the arrest of several handlers mark significant progress. The police are now working with child welfare committees to locate and ensure the safe rehabilitation of the trafficked infants.
