The Belagavi Child Protection Committee and police have successfully dismantled an Inter-state child trafficking racket and had rescued a One-Year Ten-month-old girl, who has been sold for Rs 4.5 Lakh has been a significant breakthrough.
In a noteworthy development, the child who has been rescued is placed under the care of a children’s home in Belagavi, by ensuring proper safety and welfare for the little girl.
Rajendra Metri and his wife, Shilpa Metri, residents of Sangli, Maharashtra, the primary accused, sold their daughter to Smitha Wadikar from Goa, facilitated by the middle men operating in Belagavi and Maharashtra. The issue came to light when the Belagavi Child Protection Committee received information about the sale on phone.
The trafficking Racket was exposed after the Child Protection Committee received a tip-off, which prompted decisive action to dismantle the racket.
At the hotel in Joida, Uttara Kannada district, the deal was finalized by involving Vandana Surave, who is a resident of Belagavi, and Ravi and Rani Raut, who are believed to be the ringleaders.
In the Investigation, police have filed a case at the Market Police Station and and has initiated further investigations.
While the child’s parents have been named as the main culprits and Smitha Wadikar has been the third accused in the incident.