Noida: A 10-day-old premature baby girl was rescued by a Child Helpline (1098) team from a private hospital in Greater Noida West following a tip-off about an alleged attempt to sell the infant for Rs 2.7 lakh. Three people, including a private hospital’s owner and two staffers, were detained, though no FIR had been registered till late Saturday.Officials said the baby, born at 33 weeks, was left at a private facility in Bisrakh by a woman. The newborn remained at the hospital, where she was allegedly offered for illegal adoption.The case surfaced earlier this week when a man approached the Child Helpline office in Noida seeking clarity on an “offer” he had received. He told officials he had been searching online for adoption procedures when he was contacted by individuals claiming they could arrange a newborn for a fee. He was allegedly promised a baby for Rs 2.7 lakh, along with documents such as a birth certificate.Helpline officials informed him that the offer was illegal and persuaded him to assist in a sting operation. A joint team comprising the Child Helpline, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and Bisrakh police then coordinated a plan to identify those involved.On Saturday, the complainant met the suspects at a public location in Greater Noida West. Two hospital employees, including a nurse, arrived with the infant. Officers in plain clothes, already stationed nearby, intervened, took the baby into custody, and detained both on the spot.During questioning, the two allegedly told police they were acting on the instructions of the hospital owner. They also claimed similar transactions had taken place earlier, with infants allegedly being sold for up to Rs 5 lakh.Based on these statements, the hospital owner was later detained. Officials said further questioning is underway to determine whether a larger network is involved.Police have also initiated efforts to gather information regarding the infant’s biological mother. An official said they were trying to determine why the child was abandoned at the hospital after birth and whether she played any role in the illicit transaction involving the child.The infant is now under the care of the Child Welfare Committee and is reported to be stable.Authorities said the case highlights the risks of illegal adoption rackets and the need for public awareness. They urged residents to report suspicious activity related to child trafficking or unauthorised adoptions through the 1098 helpline.In India, adoption is regulated through a legal framework overseen by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under the Adoption Regulations, 2022. The process is conducted through authorised agencies and includes mandatory steps such as registration, home study, child matching, and court approval to ensure the child’s welfare and legal protection.
