THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
A government doctor and a broker have been apprehended by the police on suspicions of being involved in the sale of newborns at Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district. Authorities also suspect their involvement in an illegal kidney racket.
The arrests of gynaecologist Dr. Anuradha and broker Logambal were carried out on Sunday by Namakkal police, acting upon directives from District Collector Dr. Uma, who had received information about the criminal activities in Tiruchengode. According to Health Minister Ma Subramanian, Logambal had reportedly been engaged in the illegal trade of babies for over a decade.
Subramanian explained that the modus operandi of the accused involved coercing financially disadvantaged women, particularly those who had already given birth to two children and were delivering a third, into selling their newborns. Male infants were allegedly sold for Rs 5,000, while female babies were purportedly sold for Rs 3,000.
To further investigate the matter, a committee consisting of senior police officials and health department representatives has been formed to determine whether this illegal activity was confined to the Tiruchengode government hospital or extended to other locations. Additionally, it has come to the officials' attention that the accused may be involved in an illegal kidney racket.
Dr. Anuradha has been suspended from her services following her arrest, and the health department plans to take further departmental actions against her. Minister Subramanian emphasized that those implicated in these activities will not go unpunished, and both legal and departmental actions will be initiated against them.
