Rachakonda police arrest key accused in infant trafficking racket, traced to Ahmedabad
Hyderabad: Rachakonda police have arrested Vandana, a key figure in an illegal infant trafficking network operating in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The arrest came after an investigation by Chaitanyapuri police into the sale of infants under a month old. Police traced Vandana to Ahmedabad, where she was taken into custody for allegedly supplying babies for illegal adoption.
Vandana, who had been on the run since the racket was uncovered, was arrested by the Malkajgiri Special Operations Team (SOT) and other law enforcement officials. She is suspected of providing children to Kola Krishnaveni, another key accused, who was arrested earlier.
On February 25, 2025, the SOT and Chaitanyapuri Police exposed an interstate child trafficking ring, arresting 11 individuals involved in the illegal procurement and sale of infants. During the operation, four infants, which are two boys and two girls, were rescued, and 11 mobile phones along with Rs 5,000 in cash were seized, bringing the total value of the recovered items to Rs 95,000.
According to the police, the operation followed a tip-off and led to the arrest of Kola Krishnaveni (26), Battu Deepthi (35), and other accomplices. The group had been trafficking infants across state lines. Krishnaveni and Deepthi allegedly procured four infants from Vandana, a resident of Ahmedabad, who then arranged for their transport to Hyderabad. The babies were sold to families in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh through intermediaries.
A case has been filed under Cr. No. 180/2025 at Chaitanyapuri Police Station, invoking sections of the BNS Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.
Details of the case reveal that Krishnaveni, a private employee from Quthbullapur, had initially sought to adopt an infant through legal channels. After an intercepted deal with a Delhi-based trafficker in 2024, she turned to social media and connected with Vandana to procure babies illegally. The four infants were then trafficked to buyers in both states for between Rs 2-3 lakh for girls and Rs 4-5 lakh for boys. Some buyers were reportedly aware of the illegal nature of the transactions.
On February 25, 2025, police intercepted Krishnaveni, Savitri Devi, and Sampath Kumar at the Chaitanyapuri bus stop as they attempted to sell a baby boy. Further investigation led to the discovery of three additional infants at Battu Deepthi’s residence. The accused confessed that the babies were sold to families who had been promised adoption certificates but had yet to complete full payment.
Key Accused Arrested in Child Trafficking Case
Rachakonda police have arrested Vandana, the kingpin of a child trafficking racket, in Ahmedabad. She has been brought to Hyderabad and remanded in custody. The police have sought five days of custody for further investigation… pic.twitter.com/LMdxvfVVk9
— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) March 7, 2025
The details of the infants are as follows:
1. Baby Girl I: Procured on January 28, 2025, for Rs 2.3 lakh, sold for Rs 2.7 lakh to Ogeti Sravani in Vijayawada.
2. Baby Girl II: Procured on February 4, 2025, for Rs 2 lakh, sold for Rs 2.5 lakh to Teppala Swathi in Saidabad.
3. Baby Boy I: Procured on February 12, 2025, for Rs 4.2 lakh, sold for Rs 4.8 lakh to Lingala Ramesh in Mahabubabad.
4. Baby Boy II: Procured on February 25, 2025, for Rs 4.2 lakh, but intercepted by police before being sold.
The police are urging citizens interested in adoption to follow legal procedures and avoid dealing with unauthorized agents or intermediaries involved in illegal activities.
