Delhi Police have arrested 10 more people in connection with an alleged newborn trafficking racket, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 23. Those arrested include the biological parents accused of selling their newborns, couples accused of purchasing the infants, and intermediaries allegedly involved in facilitating the illegal transactions. Police said nine infants have so far been rescued and are safe, while efforts are continuing to trace the remaining biological parents and identify others linked to the network.
According to investigators, the operation against the trafficking syndicate began on June 5, when Delhi Police dismantled the alleged network and arrested 13 accused during the first phase of the investigation. Among those initially arrested were the alleged kingpin of the racket, Dr. Viveki Agrawal, Saya Bhai Ghamar alias Kalia, and several other associates. During that operation, police also rescued five newborn children, leading to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expand the probe.
Police said the SIT comprises senior officers, including the ACP Operations, ACP Paharganj, inspectors and sub-inspectors, who have been conducting coordinated raids based on information gathered during the investigation. Acting on interrogation and intelligence inputs, the team later arrested Jyoti, an ASHA worker who allegedly acted as a middlewoman by identifying vulnerable families and facilitating illegal child transactions between biological parents and prospective buyers.
Further investigation led police to several couples accused of purchasing newborn children through the racket. Among those arrested are Suganaben and her husband Kanti Bhai from Sabarkantha, Gujarat, who allegedly purchased a baby for ₹2 lakh. Police also arrested Satish Jain, a resident of Rohini, who is accused of purchasing a child from Dr. Viveki Agrawal for his daughter-in-law Garima.
In another development, police arrested Asha and her husband Amit Pratap, residents of Rishikesh, for allegedly purchasing a child through the same network. Prakash and Ketaki Gupta were also taken into custody on similar allegations of buying a newborn from the accused doctor. Investigators are examining the financial transactions and communication records of all the accused to establish the extent of the trafficking operation.
During the course of the investigation, police also traced a separate case involving a young woman from Rohini who had delivered a baby girl at Dr. Viveki Agrawal’s hospital and allegedly abandoned the child there. The infant has been rescued and placed under protection. Authorities are now verifying the circumstances surrounding the birth and determining whether the child was also intended to be trafficked through the same network.
Police believe the racket involved identifying financially vulnerable families, arranging illegal transfers of newborns and facilitating transactions through intermediaries and medical contacts. Investigators are examining hospital records, financial documents and digital evidence to determine the full scale of the operation and identify additional beneficiaries or accomplices.
Officials said all rescued infants are safe and are receiving appropriate care. The investigation is now focused on tracing the biological parents of other rescued children, identifying additional victims and uncovering the complete trafficking network. Authorities are also verifying whether similar transactions were carried out in other states.
Delhi Police said the investigation remains ongoing and further arrests are possible as more evidence emerges. Investigators are continuing to analyse financial records, communication data and other documentary evidence to establish the complete chain of illegal child trafficking and ensure that everyone involved is brought to justice.
