Gang of six arrested for illegal sale of newborn babies in Salem
Salem: Shevapet police have arrested a gang of two men and four women who were actively involved in the illegal sale of newborn babies in the western region of the state.
The arrested have been identified as R Mohanraj, 43, from Narasothipatty in Salem, his wife M Nagasudha, 33, K Sridevi, 43, of Bhavani Main Road in Erode, D Janardhanan, 38, of Krishnammal Nagar in Erode, M Parveen Banu, 42, of Bhavani Main Road in Erode, and M Padmavathi, 46, from Kongapalayam in Erode district.
The racket was busted following the arrest of Mohanraj in a money laundering case by Shevapet police recently.
During interrogation, police found photos of newborn babies on Mohanraj's mobile phone.
On further questioning, Mohanraj spilled the beans. He told police that he was part of a six-member gang involved in selling newborn babies to childless couples.
Salem city police commissioner Praveen Kumar Abhinapu said Mohanraj had purchased a newborn from Erode recently and sold the baby boy in Edappadi for Rs7 lakh.
Nagasudha was also involved in the transaction, the commissioner said.
Police arrested Nagasudha, Sridevi and Parveen Banu following Mohanraj's confession.
Meanwhile, police laid a trap to arrest Janardhanan. They acted as customers and promised to give Rs 4 lakh for a newborn baby.
Janardhanan was arrested when he arrived in the city to collect the amount.
Police investigation revealed that the gang had unlawfully bought babies from poor families and sold them to childless couples for several lakhs in Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Tirupur, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, and Krishnagiri districts.
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Police sources have confirmed the involvement of the gang in the sale of over 30 babies in the past three years. "We have also compiled a list of individuals who sold their babies and those who purchased the newborns," Praveen Kumar Abhinapu said.
Shevapet police inspector Rukmani produced the accused before the judicial magistrate of the Salem district combined court on Monday. The accused were later lodged in the Salem Central Prison under judicial custody.
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