Three more newborns from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been rescued, the police informed during a press conference.A retired teacher from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh who allegedly bought a newborn, a community health worker accused of mediating the sale of children, among other mediators, and biological parents — these are among the eight people arrested recently in the interstate child trafficking racket busted last month by the Delhi Police, taking the total number of arrests to 23, officers said on Friday. Three more newborns from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been rescued, said officers, taking the total number of rescued infants to nine.Police are now searching for Dr Hira Kapoor, the husband of key accused Dr Viveki Kapoor, who ran the hospital in Delhi where the syndicate was operating. He is absconding and is believed to have played a key role in the alleged racket.The probe so far has revealed that the “desire for a male child” was one of the key factors driving several couples to allegedly bypass the legal adoption process and purchase infants through the syndicate, according to investigators.Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh said that sustained questioning of the accused, technical surveillance and financial analysis helped investigators dig deeper. “The investigation has revealed that the accused were part of a well-organised network that procured infants from vulnerable biological parents and supplied them to childless couples in different states for substantial monetary consideration. We have also unearthed financial transactions involving several lakhs of rupees,” Singh said.According to Singh, investigators have identified some of the biological parents involved in the racket. “No IVF or surrogacy angle has emerged during the investigation so far. The syndicate allegedly operated on a demand-and-supply model by identifying couples seeking children outside the legal adoption process and connecting them with vulnerable parents willing to part with their infants for money,” he said.Eight people who have been arrested recently have been identified as Jyoti, an ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker from Gurgaon, who allegedly acted as a mediator; Shankar Gamar, a mediator who allegedly sourced infants from biological parents; Sugnaben Gamar and her husband Kantibhai Gamar of Gujarat, who allegedly sold their newborn son; Ketki Gupta, who allegedly purchased a one-month-old baby boy for around Rs 4 lakh; Ram Prakash Nishad, a retired teacher from Mathura, who allegedly bought a male child in 2025; Abha Singh from Haridwar, who, along with her husband Amit Pratap Singh, allegedly procured an eight-month-old baby boy for around Rs 5 lakh.Even as several biological parents allegedly sold their infants for money, one woman had approached the accused after an unintended pregnancy, said police. According to investigators, she believed she was giving up the child “for free” and was unaware that the infant would later be sold through the trafficking network. But she terminated the pregnancy and turned into a witness.Officers said the investigation has also uncovered financial links between the accused. They alleged that transactions made by a couple from Haridwar were traced to a bank account operated by an accused identified as Pratibha, who was arrested earlier in the case.Story continues below this adAll nine rescued children, officers said, have been produced before the Child Welfare Committee, which has issued directions regarding their care, protection and rehabilitation. Police said further investigation is underway to identify other members of the syndicate, trace the remaining financial transactions and make further arrests.The probe into the alleged racket gained momentum when the Anti Narcotics Cell of the Central district allegedly intercepted three accused near RK Ashram Metro Station during a decoy operation on June 5. Police claimed the trio was attempting to sell a newborn infant to decoy buyers. A four-to-five-day-old baby boy was rescued and Rs 20,000, allegedly paid as token money during the operation, was recovered. An FIR was subsequently registered at Paharganj police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice Act.Given the scale and sensitivity of the case, Delhi Police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional DCP-II Prashant Chaudhary.Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital. Professional Background Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance. Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh). Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India. Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life. Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability: 1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort: Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025). The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025). Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025). 2. Crime & Police Accountability "Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025). "Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025). Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025). 3. Governance & Public Policy "13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025). Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025). Signature Style Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:Delhi Police