The Erattupetta police have arrested two persons in connection with an alleged racket involved in trafficking newborn babies and launched an investigation to identify others linked to the operation. The arrested were identified as Raja, a native of Tamil Nadu, and Arjun, a resident of Vagamon. The probe was launched following a complaint lodged by a pregnant woman from Assam, who escaped from the racket the other day.

According to the complaint, the woman was housed in a vacant house at Teekoy by the accused, who allegedly offered her ₹3 lakh in exchange for handing over her baby after delivery. When she refused, they allegedly assaulted her. She also told the police that two other pregnant women were staying in the house along with her.

Confirming the arrests, a police officer said the accused had been booked for assaulting the woman and on charges of attempted human trafficking. “A detailed investigation is under way based on the complainant’s statement. Efforts are also on to identify the remaining members of the racket,” the officer said.

In her complaint, the woman said she had been abandoned by her husband after becoming pregnant for the second time. Having lost both her parents, she had nowhere to go and spent some time in Delhi before searching for a shelter home through social media. It was then that the accused allegedly contacted her and persuaded her to come to Kerala, promising safe accommodation.

Subjected to assault

However, after she arrived, they allegedly told her that they would ensure a safe delivery only if she agreed to hand over her baby after childbirth. The woman, however, turned down the offer and following this, she was subjected to assault by the racket members.

The woman later escaped from the house and alerted the police. She is currently staying at a shelter home in Gandhi Nagar, Kottayam. According to the police, she was found in a distressed state by officials of the Erattupetta police station, who took her to the shelter home, where her statement was recorded.This was for the first time that the complainant had come to Kerala.

Published - July 28, 2026 07:30 pm IST