Vijayawada: Three arrested, infant rescued

Vijayawada: Vijayawada city police arrested three persons on Sunday for allegedly purchasing a three-day-old baby girl through an illegal child trafficking network and rescued the infant during a special operation near Rajiv Gandhi Park in Krishnalanka. The accused were identified as Konatham Venkata Krishna Reddy (33) and his wife Konatham Siva Parvathi (27) of Polavaram village in Prakasam district, and Syed Alam (34) of Gaya district, Bihar. Police seized three mobile phones from the accused and shifted the rescued infant to safe custody.

Acting on specific intelligence received by NTR District Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhara Babu, police intercepted the trio during checks near Rajiv Gandhi Park. The newborn was rescued, and three mobile phones were seized from the accused. According to the police, the childless couple had approached several IVF centres and surrogacy facilities before contacting an IVF hospital in Delhi. There, they allegedly came into contact with a woman who promised to arrange a newborn baby for money. Police said the couple allegedly paid Rs 6.59 lakh in instalments before travelling to Delhi three days ago to collect the infant. They were returning to Andhra Pradesh with the baby, accompanied by Syed Alam, the husband of the hospital employee allegedly involved in arranging the illegal transaction, when they were apprehended. The operation was carried out under the supervision of Additional DCP KGV Saritha, with Task Force ADCP K Latha Kumari, South ACP Manasa, and Women Police Station Inspector Vasavi leading the police team.

A case has been registered under provisions relating to human trafficking, illegal purchase and sale of children, and other relevant laws. Police said further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the suspected child trafficking network.

The police urged the public to adopt children only through legally recognised procedures and authorised agencies, warning that the illegal purchase or sale of children is a serious criminal offence.