Lucknow: Lucknow Police have busted an alleged child-lifting gang involved in kidnapping toddlers and selling them for as much as ₹2.5 lakh each. Five people, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested, while two other suspects remain absconding.
The case came to light after an 18-month-old girl was abducted from outside a hospital in Lucknow’s Chowk area on July 13. Acting swiftly, the police launched an intensive investigation and successfully rescued the child before she could be trafficked further. She has since been reunited with her parents.
According to investigators, the child was allegedly being sold for ₹2.5 lakh. The transaction, however, did not materialise after the prospective buyer reportedly backed out, providing investigators with a crucial lead that ultimately helped rescue the toddler.
Police identified the alleged kingpin as Shyam Ji Yadav, who is trained as a General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) nurse. Investigators believe the nursing background may have enabled the accused to identify vulnerable locations such as hospitals and target unsuspecting families with young children.
To crack the case, Lucknow Police examined footage from nearly 150 CCTV cameras across the city, analysed surveillance inputs, and tracked the movements of the accused before making the arrests. The coordinated operation led to the rescue of the child and the dismantling of the alleged gang.
Officials said the investigation is now focused on determining whether the accused were part of a larger interstate or organised child trafficking network. Police are also attempting to trace the two absconding suspects and identify any other victims linked to the gang.
A case has been registered under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable laws. Police said further investigation is underway, and additional arrests are expected as more evidence emerges.
