Gujarat: Authorities in Gujarat have uncovered a shocking child trafficking racket operating around IVF centres, where newborn boys were allegedly sold for ₹3.2 lakh and girls for ₹2.5–2.8 lakh, targeting vulnerable childless couples, officials said.
The investigation revealed that agents would approach emotionally distressed women outside IVF clinics in Hyderabad and other cities, offering illegal arrangements for newborn adoption under the guise of informal settlement, before finalising deals with desperate couples.
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Distressed Couples Outside IVF Clinics Targeted
According to the probe, the syndicate was allegedly masterminded by Bodasu Nagaraju alias Murugan, who coordinated with multiple agents across states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Telangana to source and transfer newborns within 24–48 hours of birth.
Two key accused, Rani and Shivarani from Secunderabad, were arrested after interrogation of earlier detained suspects. Both had reportedly worked at an IVF clinic and initially received small commissions for bringing patients before turning to trafficking for higher profits.
Investigators said Rani, a widow, and Shivarani were first engaged in patient facilitation work earning ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per case, but later shifted to trafficking activities after realizing that illegal newborn trade offered significantly higher earnings per child.
Newborns Moved Across States Within Days of Birth
Another accused, Dinesh Rathod, allegedly sold his five-day-old daughter to the gang for ₹2.8 lakh, further exposing how desperate economic conditions were exploited within the network, which facilitated illegal transfers of infants across state borders.
The syndicate reportedly identified newborns from hospitals and vulnerable families, then quickly arranged illegal placements with buyers, completing transactions within days of birth while falsifying adoption pathways to avoid legal scrutiny.
Officials stated that the racket operated in a structured manner, with agents earning commissions ranging from ₹50,000 per child, depending on gender and demand, with male infants fetching higher prices in most cases.
The accused were tracked after multiple arrests in earlier phases of the investigation, which led authorities to locations in Secunderabad where Rani and Shivarani were eventually apprehended along with other network members.
Clinic Links and Illegal Adoption Chain
The case has also raised concerns about misuse of medical facilities and potential involvement of clinic-linked intermediaries, prompting deeper scrutiny into IVF centre-linked recruitment and unethical practices within assisted reproductive networks.
Officials are continuing investigations into additional links of the syndicate, while verifying whether more hospitals or individuals were involved in facilitating illegal adoptions or newborn trafficking under the guise of informal agreements.
Officials said strict action will continue against all involved, while reinforcing monitoring mechanisms around IVF centres and maternity facilities to prevent recurrence of such exploitation-driven trafficking networks.
Authorities emphasized that strict legal action will follow against all individuals linked to the network, with focus on dismantling the interstate chain of illegal adoption transactions. Officials added that monitoring mechanisms around IVF centres and maternity hospitals will be strengthened to ensure that no such syndicate can exploit medical systems again. Investigations continue to identify additional beneficiaries and buyers connected to the racket, while authorities work to trace financial flows and communication records used in coordinating the illegal deals.
