Further investigation into the child-selling case involving a fraudulent doctor in Kittur, Belgaum, has uncovered a troubling detail: police found evidence suggesting that fetuses were terminated and buried in a garden.
At the direction of District Collector Nitesh Patil, Kittur police conducted a raid on Abdul Ghaffar’s farmhouse, where they uncovered evidence implicating Abdul Ghaffar Ladkhan, masquerading as a medical professional, in the termination of fetuses. Three fetal bodies were discovered on the premises, which have since been seized by the police for additional scrutiny.
Rohit Kuppasagoudar, who had been aiding Ladkhan for several years, has been detained and questioned by authorities. The investigation into the case is being handled by the Kittur police station.
The operation was coordinated by DHO Dr. Mahesh Koni, AC Prabhavathi Fakirpur of Bailhongal, DySP Ravi Naik, and three CPIs. According to reports, the five individuals, including Ladkhan, focused on young pregnant women seeking pre-marriage abortions. They conducted procedures on women who were 7-8 months pregnant, retained the infants, and sold them to couples unable to conceive for financial gain.
During the investigation, police uncovered the network and apprehended the suspects. It was also disclosed that Ladkhan, in addition to trafficking children, was involved in the unlawful termination of pregnancies.
The incident came to light when Malmaruti Police Station officers arrested five individuals, including Ladkhan, for their involvement in selling an infant in Belgaum recently.
Mahadevi, also known as Priyanka Bahubali Jain from Bailhongal, Abdulgafar Hussainsaab Ladkhan from Hanchinal village near Saundatti, Chandan Subedar from Shigihalli village near Bailhongal, Pavitra Somappa Madiwalar from Sampagaon village near Bailhongal, and Praveen Manjunath Madiwalar from Dharwad were among those arrested in connection with the case.
The arrests were made following a complaint lodged by Rajkumar Ningappa Rathod, coordinator of the Government Adoption Center of the District Child Protection Cell.
