Karnataka: Authorities in Karnataka’s Tumakuru district have dismantled a child trafficking ring, successfully rescuing six infants aged between 11 months and 2.5 years. Among those apprehended are four individuals, including a private hospital owner and three nurses accused of facilitating the illegal sale of babies to couples unable to conceive.

The individuals involved include Mahesh, a nurse at a government hospital in Kunigal, and Mehboob Shariff, who owns a private hospital. Also implicated are two female nurses, Sowjanya and Poornima, who were present during the delivery.

Mahesh and Mehboob Shariff were involved in obtaining babies from unwilling parents and selling them to other couples through illegal adoption procedures, typically fetching between Rs 2 to 3 lakh per child.

These infants were primarily born from extramarital or premarital relationships, leading their biological parents to decide against keeping them.

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Couples desiring children posed as pregnant and gained admission to Mehboob Shariff’s private hospital in Tumkur. There, they were ‘discharged’ after simulating a delivery involving illegally adopted infants procured by Mahesh and Mehboob from birth parents. Fake birth certificates were used to falsely claim parenthood.

‘This has been ongoing since 2022, involving nine babies. At Mehboob Shariff’s hospital, Karnataka, couples feigned pregnancy and childbirth, and then acquired false birth documentation. We suspect more individuals are implicated. We will investigate rigorously and ensure all offenders are prosecuted,’ stated Tumkur SP Ashok KV.

Parents who purchased the children will also face charges for bypassing legal adoption procedures, he added.

To date, the police have rescued six infants who are receiving care and support at a child protection center.

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Reportedly, one baby has died, and efforts are underway to bring the other two infants from Hyderabad and Davangere.