Mumbai Doctor Arrested In Gujarat Child Trafficking Case; Police Probe Wider Network

The Vadodara Crime Branch has arrested a Mumbai-based doctor for his alleged role in a child trafficking racket that stretched from Gujarat’s Patan district to Mumbai. The arrest comes days after police rescued an eight-day-old infant who was allegedly being sold for ₹3 lakh and uncovered what investigators believe is a larger trafficking network.

The accused, identified as Dr Sachin Dev Mahavir Nagnath Lokhande, was arrested following the interrogation of other accused and an analysis of mobile phone records. A court has granted six days of police remand to facilitate further investigation.

Arrest follows rescue of newborn

The case came to light after the Vadodara Crime Branch intercepted Siddhpur residents Manoj Rawal and Veena Rawal, who were allegedly attempting to sell an eight-day-old baby for ₹3 lakh.

The infant was rescued and admitted to Vadodara Civil Hospital for medical care and observation.

Police have so far arrested nine people in the case, including the alleged mastermind, Sunil Rawal, who is Manoj Rawal’s brother-in-law. Investigators also allege that the baby’s father, Laxman, had agreed to sell the child for ₹2 lakh.

Doctor allegedly linked through trafficking network

According to the investigation, Mumbai residents Sohail and Taufiq had allegedly travelled to Gujarat to collect the infant from Manoj and Veena before delivering the baby to the doctor.

Based on their statements and the examination of Sunil Rawal’s mobile phone records, police traced and arrested Dr Sachin Dev Mahavir Nagnath Lokhande, a resident of Ambernath in Maharashtra.

Police said he was working at Balaji Hospital in Ambernath and Najma Hospital in Bhiwandi.

Police verify doctor’s credentials

Investigators initially suspected that Dr Lokhande owned or operated a gynaecology hospital. However, during questioning, police found that he is an MBBS practitioner and not a gynaecologist.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit has initiated the process of verifying his medical qualifications and related documents.

Probe focuses on intended recipient

Police allege that Dr Lokhande was expected to keep the infant in his custody for a few days before handing the child over to a woman.

Investigators are now trying to identify the intended recipient, establish the financial transactions involved and determine the doctor’s exact role in the alleged trafficking network.

Police also claim that Dr Lokhande had previously rejected another child allegedly offered through agent Sunil Rawal. Mobile phones seized from both men have been sent for forensic examination as investigators continue to gather evidence into the wider racket.