A Dark Trade Exposed: Two Women Arrested in Surat for Child Trafficking, Infant Rescued

Imagine the despair. A grandmother, still reeling from the devastating loss of her daughter to tuberculosis, suddenly found herself solely responsible for a one-year-old grandson. Life, as it often does, threw another cruel curveball: acute financial hardship. This heartbreaking vulnerability, unfortunately, became the target of a chilling child trafficking scheme recently unearthed by Surat's vigilant Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU).

The ordeal began when the distraught grandmother, a resident of Limbayat, Surat, desperately sought a loan to provide for her infant grandson. In a moment of extreme need, she encountered two women – 35-year-old Rekha Mahesh Rathod and 45-year-old Geeta Rajesh Patra. They presented themselves as saviors, offering a sum of Rs 1 lakh. But there was a sinister catch, one that preyed directly on her emotional and financial distress: they demanded the child be handed over for 'adoption.' It's a truly heart-wrenching scenario, isn't it?

Driven by the sheer weight of her circumstances, and perhaps a flicker of misguided hope for the child's future, the grandmother reluctantly agreed. The women paid the promised amount and took the innocent one-year-old boy. However, as the days turned into a terrifying silence, a creeping suspicion began to take root in the grandmother's heart. Her attempts to contact the women proved futile; they simply vanished. Her worst fears started to crystallize.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, she first filed a missing person report for her beloved grandson. When that led nowhere, and her gut feeling screamed something far more sinister, she courageously approached the Surat City Crime Branch, alleging child trafficking. This brave step set the wheels of justice in motion.

The AHTU, known for its dedicated efforts in combating such heinous crimes, immediately sprang into action. Their investigation was meticulous, tracing the shadowy movements of the accused. Finally, on Tuesday, May 21st, their diligent work paid off. Both Rekha Mahesh Rathod and Geeta Rajesh Patra were apprehended in the Puna Gam area of Surat. More importantly, the precious one-year-old child was located, safe and sound, with a couple in the Godadara locality of Surat. What a relief that must have been for everyone involved!

Authorities quickly registered a case against the two women under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 370 (trafficking of a person), 370A (exploitation of a trafficked person), and 120B (criminal conspiracy). It turns out Rekha Rathod isn't a newcomer to such illicit activities; preliminary investigations suggest a history of similar involvement. Her husband, Mahesh Rathod, is also implicated in this chilling network and is currently absconding, with police actively searching for him.

This incident serves as a stark, painful reminder of the predators who lurk, ready to exploit the most vulnerable among us. While the rescue of the infant is a tremendous victory, the ongoing investigation into this trafficking ring highlights the continuous battle against those who would trade human lives for profit. It’s a call for unwavering vigilance and community support to protect our children.