Lucknow Police have rescued an 18-month-old girl who was allegedly abducted as part of a conspiracy to sell her for ₹3 lakh, leading investigators to examine possible links with a wider human trafficking network.
The child was safely reunited with her parents after being located within hours of the reported kidnapping. Police have arrested five accused, while efforts continue to trace another suspect allegedly connected with the planned transaction.
Child Allegedly Kidnapped While Parents Slept
According to police, the incident occurred during the night of 12 July, when the child's parents—daily wage labourers from Sardar Ganj, Barabanki district—were sleeping outside the Charak Police Outpost in Lucknow's Chowk area.
Investigators said the family discovered around 2:30 a.m. that their daughter was missing, following which an immediate search operation was launched.
The child was later rescued near Mawaiya Fish Market in Alambagh.
Police Probe Alleged ₹3 Lakh Sale Plan
According to the investigation, police suspect the kidnapping was carried out with the intention of selling the child for approximately:
- ₹3 lakh
Investigators allege that:
- Sher Singh, a resident of Hardoi, was allegedly seeking to obtain a child.
- He reportedly contacted Shyamji Yadav for assistance.
Police claim both individuals were previously associated through a hospital that had operated in the Para area before its closure.
These allegations remain under investigation.
Investigators Allege Organised Recruitment
According to police, investigators believe:
- Shyamji Yadav allegedly instructed Mohammad Sultan to arrange a child.
- Sultan allegedly recruited additional associates.
- Participants were reportedly promised ₹20,000 each for their role.
Police are continuing to verify these allegations through documentary and digital evidence.
WhatsApp Photo Allegedly Sent to Intended Buyer
Investigators further allege that after abducting the child:
- Her photograph was sent via WhatsApp to the alleged intended buyer.
According to police, the proposed purchaser allegedly refused to proceed because the child was older than expected.
Investigators claim the accused subsequently abandoned the child near a roadside before fleeing.
Extensive CCTV Analysis Helped Crack Case
Police stated that investigators reviewed footage from:
- More than 150 CCTV cameras
The surveillance analysis reportedly helped identify the movement of the suspects and reconstruct the sequence of events.
Based on the investigation, police arrested:
- Rishabh Kashyap
- Mohammad Irshad
- Rohit Pasi
- Shyamji Yadav
- Mohammad Sultan
Search operations continue to locate:
- Sher Singh
Human Trafficking Angle Under Examination
Police are now examining whether the accused may have been involved in:
- Child trafficking
- Earlier kidnappings
- Illegal child sale networks
- Organised trafficking syndicates
Investigators are analysing:
- Digital communications
- Mobile phone records
- WhatsApp exchanges
- Financial transactions
- Associations among the accused
Authorities stated that additional legal action will depend upon evidence emerging during the investigation.
Importance of Surveillance Technology
The case highlights the increasing role of:
- CCTV surveillance
- Digital evidence
- Mobile forensics
- Communication analysis
- Rapid police coordination
in solving child abduction investigations within short timeframes.
Investigation Continues
Police have confirmed that:
- Five accused are in custody.
- One suspect remains absconding.
- Human trafficking links are being investigated.
- Further arrests cannot be ruled out.
The allegations are presently under investigation, and criminal liability will be determined through the due legal process.
Shunyatax Global Insight
Shunyatax Global says that child trafficking investigations increasingly depend on digital evidence, including CCTV footage, mobile phone analysis, messaging applications and financial transaction trails. Rapid reporting of missing children, immediate preservation of surveillance footage and coordinated inter-agency investigations significantly improve recovery rates and help dismantle organised trafficking networks.