Agra: A major inter-state child trafficking ring that preyed on childless couples struggling after failed IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatments has been busted by the Uttar Pradesh Police. Five people, including two women and the alleged kingpin, Mallika Arjun, have been arrested. A four-year-old boy abducted from Hathras was rescued from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.
According to police, the gang—comprising 12 members spread across the country—accessed confidential information from fertility clinics to identify couples emotionally vulnerable after failed IVF procedures. They would then approach the couples with offers to “arrange” a child for ₹3–5 lakh.
Hathras SSP Chiranjeev Nath Sinha explained the modus operandi: “The gang targeted poor families in distress. If the family agreed to give up the child for money, the transaction was carried out discreetly. In cases where the parents refused, the child would be abducted and sold.”
The traffickers would first rent accommodation near the target family’s home to build trust and gather information. Once a child was identified, they would send photographs to the prospective buyers. Abduction was carried out only after the family approved the child.
The case came to light after four-year-old Kavish Kumar was reported missing from Hathras on May 9. Following his disappearance, five police teams were formed, and over 500 CCTV camera recordings were reviewed. The boy was eventually traced and rescued from Vijayawada.
“So far, we have identified nine children who were sold through this network. Efforts are underway to locate and recover the remaining victims,” said DSP Yogendra Krishna Narayan. He added that the involvement of IVF clinics is also under investigation.
Those arrested include Monu Pathak from Hathras and his wife from Ghaziabad, Meddipatla Raghavendra and his mother from Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh, and alleged mastermind Mallika Arjun from Paderu.
A case has been registered under BNS Sections 143(3) and 143(5) for human trafficking, confirmed SHO Girish Chandra of Hathras Nagar Kotwali.
