Mumbai, May 25, 2022 – The Additional Sessions Judge Sanjashree J. Gharat rejected the bail application of Tamilselvan Thangaraj, accused in a child trafficking case registered at V.P. Marg Police Station. The court cited the seriousness of the offense, Thangaraj’s alleged role in the trafficking racket, and the ongoing investigation as reasons for denying bail.
Thangaraj was arrested in connection with Crime No. 3 of 2022, registered under Sections 363 (kidnapping), 370(4) (trafficking of a person), read with the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Sections 81 and 87 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
According to the prosecution, Sangeeta Choubey, a woman residing on rent with the complainant, was involved in prostitution. Her two-month-old daughter was left in the complainant’s care. Later, a man named Ibrahim, who frequented Choubey’s residence, took the four-month-old child under the pretext of administering a polio dose but did not return. Upon investigation, Ibrahim confessed to selling the child for Rs. 4,80,000 in Tamil Nadu. The investigation revealed that Thangaraj was allegedly involved in handing over the child to individuals who purchased her without following legal adoption procedures.
Thangaraj, through his advocate Vikas Ambetkar, sought bail under Section 439 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), claiming he was falsely implicated and that he merely acted as a taxi/rickshaw driver, transporting the child and individuals as a customer. He denied receiving any money from the transaction.
The prosecution, represented by Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Kalpana Hire, opposed the bail, arguing that Thangaraj was part of a racket involved in kidnapping and selling minor children. They also expressed concerns about witness tampering and obstruction of the ongoing investigation.
Judge Gharat, after reviewing the prosecution’s case and arguments, noted the following:
- The child was kidnapped and sold for a significant sum.
- False documents were allegedly prepared in connection with the sale.
- Thangaraj was allegedly involved in handing over the child to the buyers.
- There was prima facie evidence connecting Thangaraj to the commission of the offense.
- The offense was serious, and Thangaraj was allegedly part of a child trafficking racket.
“It is alleged that the kidnapped child was given to present Applicant for sell and he handed over the child to Accused Jaykumar and Anandkumar at Bhavani. There is primafacie evidence available to connect the Accused with commission of offence. The offence is serious in nature. The Accused was part of racket involved in kidnapping child and selling the same for money. Looking into gravity of offence the prayer of Accused for release on bail can’t be granted.” Said Judge Gharat.
Consequently, the court rejected Thangaraj’s bail application.
“The Criminal Bail Application No. 1027 of 2022 stands rejected.” Judge Gharat ordered.
The order was dictated on May 25, 2022, typed on the same day, checked and signed on May 27, 2022, and uploaded on June 6, 2022, as certified by stenographer Y.M. Sakharkar.
This ruling underscores the judiciary’s stringent stance against child trafficking and the court’s consideration of the gravity of the offense and the accused’s alleged role in organized crime when deciding bail applications.