Mumbai: In a shocking case of child trafficking, the Shivajinagar Police in Govandi have busted a racket involving the attempted sale of a six-day-old baby boy for Rs 5.5 lakh. The police have booked five individuals, including the child's mother, father and repeat offender's, in a well-coordinated operation.
Complaint by Thane Woman Led to Crackdown
According to the FIR, Mayuri Laxminarayan Vannam, 29, a resident of Yeor Village, Thane (West), filed a complaint that led to the crackdown. In May 2025, social worker Dr. Binu Varghese was tipped off by an informant that a man named Sameer was involved in selling infants in the Shivajinagar locality.
Undercover Deal Set Up to Trap Accused
Dr. Varghese relayed the information to Mayuri’s husband, Laxminarayan Vannam, and shared Sameer’s mobile number, asking him to verify the claims. Laxminarayan contacted Sameer, who confirmed that he could arrange a newborn baby for sale. Subsequently, Mayuri, Laxminarayan, and Dr. Varghese arranged a meeting with Sameer at Lotus Junction in Shivajinagar.
During the meeting, Sameer initially quoted Rs 4 lakh for an unborn child expected to be delivered within a month and demanded Rs 50,000 in advance. Laxminarayan negotiated the amount and paid Rs 10,000 to keep the deal moving forward, while remaining in touch with Sameer for further updates.
On August 6, Sameer informed Mayuri that a male infant was now available for sale, and the price had increased to Rs 5.5 lakh. He insisted the deal had to be closed the same day.
Dr. Varghese immediately alerted ADCP Dr. Mahesh Patil, following which DCP Sameer Shaikh assigned a team from Zone-6. Under the leadership of PI Dhananjay Shinde, PSI Jayshree Salunkhe from Shivaji Nagar Police Station and API Navnath Kale from Chunabhatti Police Station.
Acting swiftly, the police laid a trap at Lotus Junction with the help of Dr. Varghese, Mayuri, and Laxminarayan. According to police, Sameer arranged for a woman named Nasreen (later identified as Nazima Aslam Shaikh, 35) to deliver the baby to the buyers.
Infant Delivered With Hospital Documents
Shortly after, Nasreen and her mother Fatima Mehmoodali Shaikh, 72, arrived at the location with a male infant. They handed over the baby to Mayuri and even presented hospital documents, stating that the child’s mother was Sumaiya Irfan Khan, who had delivered the baby on August 1 at S.N. Hospital, Shivajinagar.
When Nasreen demanded the payment of Rs 5.5 lakh, police moved in and arrested both women on the spot. During interrogation, Nasreen and Fatima Mehmoodali Shaikh, both residents of Rafique Nagar, Govandi, revealed that the infant belonged to her acquaintance Sumaiya Khan and was handed over to her by Sameer alias Nabeel Shaikh for the purpose of sale.
Key Accused Sameer Alias Nabeel on the Run
As soon as the accused demanded payment, During interrogation, Nasreen revealed that the baby belonged to her acquaintance Sumaiya and that Sameer alias Nabeel Rizwan Shaikh had orchestrated the sale. Sameer alias Nabil, is a relative of local history sheeter Raja alias Kauwa, Sameer and his associates have previously been arrested in a similar case.
The Rs 5.5 lakh was to be split between the child's parents, Sameer, Nasreen, and others involved in the racket. Further investigation revealed that Nasreen is a repeat offender and has a prior case of child trafficking registered against her at the Govandi Police Station.
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Case Registered Under BNS and POCSO Act
Police have confirmed that the infant is safe and in custody. A case has been registered at the Shivaji Nagar Police Station under Sections 3(5), 143(3), and 143(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Sections 81 and 87 of the POCSO Act.
Police are currently trying to trace Sameer, alias Nabeel Shaikh, who is on the run, and are now probing the wider network behind the child trafficking racket in the city.
