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Inter-State Child Trafficking Racket Busted, Mastermind Arrested Using AI
A four-year-old was kidnapped in Banaskantha, Gujarat, triggering a police operation. Investigators used AI to trace the mastermind Murugan to Telangana, leading to arrests of key associates and the seizure of cash linked to trafficking proceeds. Police say eight infants have been trafficked and are pursuing recoveries and rehabilitation through state child welfare mechanisms.
Why It Matters
The case demonstrates how AI-assisted policing can aid cross-state criminal networks and underscores the need for multi-state cooperation to protect children and recover victims.
Timeline
10 Events
Senior police official on the operation and AI-led crackdown
April 20, 2026
A senior police official described the operation as a highly organised syndicate that treated children as commodities, crediting AI and inter-state coordination for breaking the backbone of the Murugan gang, which has a prior history of similar crimes in Maharashtra.
State cooperation with child welfare committees to trace and recover infants
April 20, 2026
Police are coordinating with child welfare committees across multiple states to trace and recover the eight infants and ensure their safe return or rehabilitation.
FIRs registered at Vadgam and Danta; kidnapping and trafficking cases opened
April 20, 2026
FIRs have been registered at the Vadgam and Danta police stations for kidnapping and child trafficking.
Arrests and ongoing hunt; inter-state handlers in custody; additional agents on the run
April 20, 2026
Apart from the three local kidnappers, three inter-state handlers are in custody. Police have identified four to five additional agents in Mumbai and Hyderabad who are currently on the run.
Proceeds recovered; cash seized on Mumbai-Vadodara highway
April 20, 2026
Police recovered Rs 1.50 lakh in cash believed to be proceeds from a recent sale, recovered from an agent intercepted on the Mumbai-Vadodara highway.
Eight infants trafficked confirmed; regional distribution
April 20, 2026
Police have confirmed the trafficking of eight infants: two each from Gujarat and Mumbai, three from Hyderabad, and one from Delhi.
Investigation reveals shift from IVF mediation to child trafficking
April 20, 2026
The investigation uncovered a transition from medical mediation in the IVF industry to criminal activity, with Murugan and his wife initially operating within egg donation and surrogacy to earn commissions before expanding into illegal sale of newborns for higher profits.
AI-assisted tracing identifies Murugan; apprehension of key associates planned
April 20, 2026
Using artificial intelligence and modern technology, investigators traced the mastermind Bodashu Nagaraju alias Murugan to Kagaznagar in Telangana. A specialised team from Palanpur coordinated with local authorities to apprehend Murugan and two of his key agents, Kasarapu Tirupati and Keleti Gangadhar.
Interrogation opens Pandora's Box; leads to wider trafficking investigation
April 6, 2026
Interrogation of the three local suspects revealed a more extensive, organised child trafficking operation, described by police as a Pandora's Box that prompted further inquiry.
Kidnapping case begins; four-year-old Dev abducted in Banaskantha, Gujarat; three local suspects arrested
April 6, 2026
The case began with the kidnapping of a four-year-old boy named Dev in Gujarat's Banaskantha district. The Local Crime Branch rescued the child and arrested three local suspects, triggering a broader investigation into organised child trafficking.