Delhi: Thieves are now stealing sperms from IVF centers
What's the story
While child trafficking is already an abominable menace in the society, information about an even worse operation has come to light.
A gang in Delhi has been stealing sperms and eggs from IVF centers and selling them to childless couples.
The alleged "queen-pin" of the operation, Kavita Tokas, had been running the operation under the guise of a surrogacy center.
Here's all about it.
Arrest
Crime Branch team nabbed the gang posing as decoy customers
The police were tipped-off, 45 days ago about a racket being run in the name of a surrogacy center.
Posing as decoy customers, the Crime Branch team contacted one Jahangir who sold babies along with Tokas.
They decided a place to meet for the deal.
When an infant boy was handed over, police grabbed Jahangir, while others fled away.
They were, however, arrested later.
Details
Baby had been sold two times before
The infant boy, who was being sold by Jahangir, was born prematurely to a minor girl in Haryana.
He was in fragile state and was admitted to a Delhi hospital.
Unfortunately, he didn't even survive 10 days, as he was born prematurely and hadn't been breastfed.
He was initially sold to one Shakila, who re-sold him to another woman. Jahangir was the third buyer.
Middleman
Women who sold the baby arrested, led them to middleman
Both Shakila and the woman she sold the boy to, have also been arrested. These arrests led them to Jitender Dubey, manager of the surrogacy center run by Tokas.
Dubey was the middleman who would strike deals with those who sold the babies and bought them.
Dubey's arrest also led to the identification and arrests of couples who had purchased children from this gang.
Information
Tokas charged nearly Rs. 5 lakh for one child
For the childless couples who came to the surrogacy center, Tokas would arrange a surrogate mother for Rs. 1 lakh and the couple would have to pay another Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh for the baby after it was born.
Operation
Operation has been active since 2016
According to the police, 10 arrests have been made and an investigation is going on.
"Right now, what we know is that this racket was active since 2016," Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rajeev Ranjan said.
"We are trying to find out if she (Tokas) had links with any IVF centers that carried out the procedures for her illegally," said a Crime Branch source.
About Tokas
Tokas is herself childless
According to the police, Tokas, who is the wife of a paramilitary officer, is childless. She was initially looking for people who would help her get a baby.
During her search, she allegedly came in touch with her future accomplices.
The police have rescued six children from this gang till date. One wonders if such deeds would ever come to an end.