GUWAHATI: Police arrested one Kalpana Mahanta on Tuesday, April 8, in connection with a case of alleged infant trafficking recently reported near the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Two women were arrested earlier. Police believe the case is linked to a larger syndicate involved in the illegal sale of newborns.
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The incident came to light after a newborn baby was allegedly sold just hours after birth. The sale was reportedly facilitated by a woman identified as P. Saikia, who acted as a middlewoman and arranged the deal between the biological parents and a couple from Nalbari district.
According to police sources, the baby was purchased for ₹2 lakh by two brothers from Helacha locality in Nalbari — Kulen Talukdar and Bhaskar Talukdar. Bhaskar, who works as a medical representative, is said to have first met a woman involved in the network at a hotel in Guwahati’s Garchuk area, where the negotiations took place. His brother Kulen, who is reportedly childless, agreed to the illegal adoption.
On March 30, the buyer was called to a hill behind GMCH, where the baby was allegedly handed over in exchange for the cash.
Talking to GPlus, an official from Bhangagarh Police Station said, “Three women have been arrested as of now. Today, Kalpana Mahanta from Guwahati has been arrested. It is a syndicate, so we cannot exactly say who is the main accused. There are many involved in this syndicate, and more arrests are likely.”
