BELAGAVI: The police conducted a search at the Kittur farmhouse of child trafficking kingpin, doctor Abdul Ladakhan, and remnants of foetuses after abortion, which were buried there. The doctor had earlier been arrested in the case.
Locals alleged that Abdul Ladakhan was a fake doctor who was involved in abortions. The Health Department officials registered a case at the Kittur police station based on the public allegations. Later, Ladakhan and his assistant Rohit were arrested. Now, the authorities have dug the ground with the court’s permission and inspected the farmhouse.
Officials of the Health, Police and Revenue departments conducted the search in the presence of accused Ladakhan’s assistant Rohit, who had allegedly buried the foetuses. Later, the buried foetuses were exhumed by the police and samples sent for forensic tests.
It is learnt that the accused was running the Ladakhan Hospital for the last ten years. Health Department officials have sealed the hospital and arrested Ladakhan who is the second accused in the illegal abortion and child trafficking cases.
The police uncovered the child trafficking network being run by a woman who was recently caught by the Child Protection Unit in Ramatheertha town. A woman named Mahadevi had come to get the child from doctor Ladakhan for Rs 60,000 and sold it for Rs 1.40 lakh. The Child Protection Unit, which came to know about the issue, took her into custody and interrogated her with the help of the police when the racket came to light.
The Health Department authorities and police have expressed suspicion that not only Abdul Ghaffar Ladakhan, but many other doctors may also be involved in the case.
