Adoption scam: charges to be framed against doc, 3 others

A Delhi court has framed charges against a doctor and three others for running an adoption racket. The Delhi police had caught the accused red-handed.

A Delhi court has framed charges against a doctor and three others for running an adoption racket. The Delhi police had caught the accused red-handed.

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Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod Yadav said there is enough evidence against the accused to prove prima facie that there is a case against them.

The police had, in December 2010, arrested Dr Atul Thapar, Pawan Kumar, Ranjeeta and Shobha Gupta for allegedly indulging in kidnapping of children.

According to the prosecution, the police arrested Pawan Kumar and Ranjeeta from Shivaji Vihar, Delhi, with a child in their lap on December 19.

During questioning the duo disclosed details about the sale and purchase of some other children as well.

During the course of investigation, three more children were recovered on the basis of information provided by the arrested accused.

During investigation, it also came to light that Shobha Gupta was engaged in similar activities and that she, alongwith her associate Anupma Lal, had sold a female baby of 8-10 days to one Mamta Aggarwal and had obtained a false MCD birth certificate in the name of the infant from one Dr Sunita Mehta.

The natural parents of the four babies recovered in the matter have not yet been traced, the court said.

Finding prima facie evidence against the accused, the court said, "It is well-settled law that at the time of framing of charge, the FIR and the material collected by the investigating agency cannot be sieved through the cull ender of the finest gauzes to test its veracity.”

The court said "Let the charge against the accused persons be framed.”